For this reason I bow my knees before God, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of God’s glory, God grants that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through the Holy Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3: 14-17, 20-21
Amidst the anxieties and fears that accompany us during this Covid-19 virus pandemic, as we do each year and will continue to do each year, on Easter Sunday we celebrate the glory of God. We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. We celebrate Jesus will be with us forever and ever. Surrounded by the love of Christ we proclaim we are baptized into Jesus’ death and resurrection. We lift up new beginnings…re-creation.
During this Easter season it is especially evident that the very spirit of the resurrected Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, is at work within us! This same Spirit encourages and enables us to further Christ’s ministry within our community.
And so I cannot say it enough…thank you. Thank you for being there for each other and your communities. Your being an Easter people is reflected in your generously sharing your time, talents, and wealth. Your generosity enables Christ’s mission to be sustained and, importantly, to grow here at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church. Even during this time of uncertainty the future looks bright in the light of Christ.
Friends, Christ rose that we may faithfully share the love of God. And the love of God is the gift we will continue to faithfully and prayerfully share. For we celebrate:
…this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1 John 3:11
As Easter people we are called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ! We are called to proclaim the Good News…especially in times such as this, in times of a pandemic. We are called to share God’s love with all our neighbors and with all creation. In the name of the resurrected Christ let us continue to do so.
Christ’s Peace, Pastor Steve