April First Epistle

Christ Is Risen! Thanks Be to God!
Easter is finally over! Thanks Be to God!

Last month, after experiencing one of the latest times Easter can possibly be, one would think that we can sit down and finally relax. But as we look ahead to this month as a church, we find that in fact we are just getting started.

This month we will celebrate as we welcome our Confirmation Class for 2011. Our youth have been embarking on a journey of faith, which has led them to commit to being a part of this community. While it is a celebration, it is also a reminder that it is not the end but the start of a new chapter as they, and we together, follow Jesus.

We will also observe Native American Sunday, recognizing the contributions that our Native American sisters and brothers are making to advance the church’s work in this world. We do this also recognizing that traditions can and do come together through the grace of Jesus Christ. We will also celebrate as our youth lead in our worship and share their experience of God shaping their lives.

Finally, here in the United States, we will remember and acknowledge what many men and women sacrificed for this country and for our freedom. A lot is happening.

This is in many ways what the early church did following the resurrection. Once that Easter morning came, Jesus did not say to sit back and everything was going to be okay. Instead he said to go and make disciples of all nations, and so the Apostles went to work. As we journey with them in the Gospels and in the book of Acts this month, let us remember that all we will do, in celebration, observation and remembrance, is made possible because of the journey that Christ continues to lead us on. Let us go therefore and make disciples of Jesus as we are also more fully made disciples, through him. Let’s get started.