We Gather in the Presence of God who Gives Life

 

We gather in the presence of the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Rms 4: 17

 

On Transfiguration Sunday the sermon spoke of the Gospel of Mark and how Mark has three key events that are life altering experiences for Jesus: baptism, transfiguration, and crucifixion. In each there is a voice. God calls into existence. God calls, “This is my beloved.” By this articulation, saying the words aloud for ears to hear, speaking out in the open --- what did not exist comes into existence.

My beloved is born. God’s glory is revealed. Death turns to life.

 

We gather in the presence of the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Rms 4: 17

 

I am arrested by the thought of what doesn’t exist, especially when I consider the wonders that surround us: intriguing creatures like platypus, ostrich, sea urchins; new land created by flows of lava; and mesmerizing rainbows and cosmic dust. What could be called into existence that does not already exist? What a fantastical thought to ponder.

 

The nitty-gritty of this morning’s Gospel is that Jesus speaks of suffering and rejection. Jesus speaks quite openly about his death to come. Peter is rebuked. What is called into existence through Jesus’ words? Jesus articulates – calls into existence- divine things not human things. And calls the disciples, and hearers of the gospel to turn their minds from human things to divine things.

 

Jesus’ openness in talking about suffering, rejection, and death is a divine thing. It is honest and truthful and for the listener hits pretty close to home. All are topics humans tend to avoid. Avoiding conversation and reflection has humans wrapped up in bondage to the power of suffering, rejection, and death. We are filled with fear and anxiety. The more we don’t talk about suffering, rejection, and death -keep such things secret- we separate ourselves farther from community, God, each other, ourselves, creation. We make ourselves sick.

Jesus speaks of suffering, rejection, and death because the very articulation changes suffering, rejection, and death from the human attachment to them to a divine thing. Speaking of the events of Holy Week, Jesus releases the power that suffering, rejection, and death will have on him. He is no longer in bondage to the power held by the system, the authorities, the captors, the situation to terrorize him and his followers. He is freed from being captive to sin by choosing to articulate divine things and live in and toward divine things.

 

It has been suggested that Jesus’ rebuke of Peter in the form of get behind me Satan illustrates a continued need for Jesus to address temptation. Although no longer in the desert face-to-face with Satan, living life is a never-ending array of temptation that places our minds and actions on human things. Speaking the rebuke is a verbalized stance of obedience --- a bringing of obedience into existence. Satan is an important character in God’s court and in texts as Satan’s presence provides options for obedience and faithfulness. Jesus renounces Satan – the temptation of following the world’s ways. Many times between now and the cross, we will witness Jesus’ obedient words and actions, all rebuking the temptation to follow the ways of the world. And each time Jesus does this, the kindom of God comes closer.

 

I find it interesting that in the gospel the disciples and others are continually told to tell no one who Jesus is. Remember, coming down from the mountain after witnessing the transfiguration, Peter, James, and John are sworn to secrecy by Jesus. Others are not to articulate Jesus as Messiah, yet, Jesus takes control of the story. Jesus openly articulates who he is and what is going to happen; on his own terms, in his own style; today we might call it getting ahead of the press. Jesus brings into existence himself as the Messiah.

Everything changes after Jesus’ suffering, rejection, and death.

‘Getting ahead of the press,’ and bringing what doesn’t exist into existence becomes the responsibility of the disciples. The disciples become the tellers of the story. The disciples are faced with temptation – Satan in their face tempting them to human ways, rather than focusing on divine things. The disciples are given the option of obedience; to turn from fear, self-preservation, and leave the room where they have locked themselves after Jesus’ death. In the telling of the story, they speak of Jesus’ suffering, rejection, and death; where none of these human things have lingering power. They are living in divine things, in the power of resurrection and life.

 

I appreciate the reading from Romans this morning because it theologically reflects on what it is to follow after Jesus’ suffering, rejection, and death.

We gather in the presence of the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

Paul reflects on the story of Abraham and Sarah in a way that sounds to me like Abraham embraced divine things.  Abraham’s faith did not weaken at the seemingly impossible promise that God articulated – to bring a baby to an elderly and barren couple.  Abraham trusted, no distrust made him waiver, and he grew strong in faith as he gave glory (gratitude) to God. Faith, trust, gratitude brought ‘hope against hope’ and life into existence. In this covenant between God and Abraham, Abraham chose to trust God in all things that he could not control, and to be obedient by taking responsibility for the parts of the covenant he had power over.

 

Paul’s articulation of faith, trust, and obedience brings into existence a Paul who acts remarkably in the face of suffering, rejection, and death. Consider the times Paul was imprisoned. Paul is face to face with Satan, tempted to lose hope, to fall into fear, to renounce his faith, to grab hold of the ways of the world and be a ‘good’ Roman citizen. Paul rebukes Satan and choses obedience. The stories of Paul in prison recount a focus on divine things: Paul is said to have sung hymns, prayed aloud, confessed Jesus crucified and risen, praised God, preached the Gospel to other inmates and guards.

What is called into existence through these acts is a freeing earthquake that opened prison doors, guards come to Jesus, prisoners are set free spiritually and physically, Paul is released into the world to continue as a missionary.

 

What is called into existence by the way you live your life? 

Do you rebuke Satan and chose obedience, focusing not on human things but on divine things?

Do you speak of suffering, rejection, and death – until all lose their power- and God’s kindom draws near; and the divine things, the power of resurrection and life are called into existence?

 

 We gather in the presence of the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

As Reinhold Niebuhr prayed, we pray:

God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things which should be changed,

And the Wisdom to distinguish one from the other.

Amen.

 

I Am Just Not Ready! Let's Just Move to Rainbows and Resurrection

 

I am just not ready!

It is an occupational hazard in those years when Easter happens early. March 31^st this year.

Ash Wednesday snuck up on me, us – it didn’t get advertised until the week before.

I am just not ready! My brain is working one season at a time; wanting to finish one season before putting the schedule together for the next.

 

The reading from Genesis has us standing outside with Noah, looking at the resplendent rainbow, and being told the significance of the rainbow as a sign of God’s covenant. Hearing this story now has two affects – one I want to just skip to Easter (the rainbow) and forget Lent; and a feeling that the rainbow is a great sign, but I have missed an experience and deeper understanding.

I am just not ready – I am not ready to tackle the scriptures of the day.

How can one interpret and talk about God’s rainbow covenant without first hearing, re-living the story of the call of Noah, the building of the ark, the call to repentance, the destruction of the whole earth -its people, its creatures- by flood? How can one interpret and talk about the start of Jesus’ public ministry without acknowledging on whose heels Jesus follows and not the just the imprisonment but the beheading of John the Baptist? A humanity destroying flood and the beheading of a faith leader…I am not ready to wrestle with either --- let’s just move to rainbows and resurrection.

 

I am just not ready! Perhaps it is because as one of hymns in the new hymnbook says, “for the troubles and the sufferings of the world…” My mind and heart have been saturated by a ‘humanity destroying flood’ – climate change, unkindness, greed; a rise in aggression, threat, violence, displacement, war; the ‘beheading’ of leaders and advocates who champion a different way, who disagree, who are outspoken… I am tired and not prepared to wrestle with any of this---- let’s just move to rainbows and resurrection.

 

If I was to ask you to tell me a story about a rainbow, I suspect most of you would tell me of a personal experience of the phenomenon. You would be able to recount the moment including: the sights, smells, tastes, the feeling you had, who you were with, where it was, what came before. I am pretty sure the story would not be, I simply looked up and there it was; just simple like anything else you might notice while outside.

The memorable rainbows are those that follow a deeper experience where your senses and emotions have been invested. Most of my memorable rainbow stories begin in harrowing, fear-filled, anxiety ridden moments experienced inside a storm. The stories involve torrential rain, excessive thunder and lightening, fast moving mud and water, and the inability to get to safety. And after this, when that rainbow graces the sky in all its vibrance and vitality, shining in front of the bank of moody clouds…

..I can feel it… the great sigh of relief expelled and my shoulders relaxing away from my ears…

…that moment is abundant in gratitude, there is pleasure and joy in the beauty, and a sense that all is well, and that all things shall be well.

The rainbow means less without the experience before. The experience of the rainbow without the emotions and investment before hand makes the rainbow in all its glory less meaningful, less visceral; in essence empty.

 

Maybe that is the gospel for us this morning, to take heed, that we take time to wrestle with the troubles and the sufferings of the world, that we take time to settle into Lent and do some hard work, self reflection, cry tears of repentance, suffer cuts and bruises, so that when we arrive at the glory of the empty tomb of Easter; it is a joyous Christ is risen, and not an empty tomb within ourselves because we did not invest in 40 days of time to get ready.

I began by saying “I am just not ready.” That isn’t entirely true – It is how I feel, however, it is exactly why Lent is a season. Lent is the gift of time. It is a season of getting ready- a season of preparation. We have time to build an ark, to ready ourselves as a container to carry life and salvation – so that we may sail the troubles and the sufferings of the world – addressing and dressing them with compassion, hope, and life. Sailing to the ends of the earth with the Good News of Jesus Christ, we can leave rainbows in our wake.

 

The other day, mom and I were having a conversation and talking about phrases that connect colour and feeling. Phrase like: ‘feeling blue,’ ‘green with envy,’ ‘seeing red.’ Through history, in various cultures, colours have been associated with feelings. It is no surprise that centuries ago the seven deadly sins each had an attributed colour: red for anger, orange for gluttony, yellow for greed, green for envy, light blue sloth, blue for lust, purple for pride.  A rainbow of sin if you will.

 

This morning the explanation of the rainbow as a sign of God’s covenant has been told to us.

For it to have a deeper meaning, let us take the symbol as a focus for our journey and reflection through Lent.

Let us take time with each colour and its corresponding sin and wrestle with how that sin affects our daily life and our relationships. By the time we work through and reflect on each sin, each colour of the rainbow, the hard work -the sweat, grime, and tears- should change us and our hearts; colouring our relationships in brightness and vibrancy. As we reflect on how specific sin affects our relationships with God, others, creation, ourselves – we sink deeper into understanding and come closer to living a colourful response to God’s covenant promise in the rainbow, the call to preserve life.

When the rainbow breaks out in front of the storm clouds, the vibrance of colour evokes a feeling of hope in a new beginning and joy in the possibility of the flourishing of life.

 

This year’s Lenten theme is lament and for Holy Week, the Valley of Tears.

We have a gift of 40+ days to immerse ourselves in the torrential rain of repentance and reflection on sin and our separation from the love of God and others.

We have a gift of 40+ days to journey through the tough stuff, the troubles and the sufferings of the world -so that we are ready for Easter, where the tomb being empty, is the rainbow of the Christ risen; and not simply an empty tomb in ourselves because we decided to avoid the storm.

 

 

Let us pray with a prayer from Julian of Norwich:

In you, Father all-mighty,

 We have our preservation and our bliss. In you Christ, we have our restoring and our saving. You are our mother, other, and saviour. In you, our Lod the Holy Spirit is marvelous and plenteous grace. You are our clothing; for love you wrap us and embrace us. You are our maker, our lover, our keeper. Teach u to believe that by your grace all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. Amen.

A Peculiar Valentine: You Are Dust and to Dust You Shall Return

 Do you remember handing out tiny Valentines as a kid? Perhaps you still do or have children in your life who share them with you.

I always found it difficult to decide how to hand out the cards – to everyone in the class, or just a select few.

 

Tonight, I have no issues deciding who does or does not get a Valentine. There are ash crosses for everyone!

It is a peculiar Valentine, a peculiar gift, to hear the words, “You are dust and to dust you shall return.”

 

Do you hear these words as a love gift?

 

Those who attend Ash Wednesday will know that fewer people attend Ash Wednesday service than Easter Sunday, even Sunday service for that matter. Over my career, I have had parishioners tell me they avoid Ash Wednesday service because it makes them feel ‘bad,’ for some ‘bad’ means guilty, or sad, or depressed, shamed, judged, worthless, condemned.

 

Do you hear “you are dust and to dust you shall return” as a love gift?

 

I am one of those strange people who really appreciates, even loves, Ash Wednesday.

And the feeling begins in hearing and acknowledging the thought of being dust.

The ritual itself is earthy – an ash cross – on the forehead; awakening all the senses. There is no other experience like it. The words are spoken directly to one person at a time, eye-to-eye; heart-to-heart. There is connection.

The words are truthful and honest. Each human life comes to an end. Our bodies die and return to the earth. Where else do we hear such honesty about death? Where else are all human beings absolutely equal, no differences, no special treatment or possible loop holes? The words are true for everyone, every human being – the God-fearing, the atheist, and the spectrum in between. You are dust and to dust you shall return.

 

Is it not a love gift to hear that one is dust? There is freedom hearing the words because with that settled - death is inevitable- one can go about fully living what time one has.

 

Ash Wednesday’s ritual is a love gift too because of the symbol made with ashes – the cross.

We are drawn into the life of the Human Jesus, a night where we start a journey of reflection through the Season of Lent and Holy Week. We walk with the Human Jesus as he connected with humanity – the sick, the possessed, the seeking, the scoffers. We walk with Human Jesus through betrayal and cruel death.

And still, amidst the troubles and the suffering of the world, we reserve in our hearts this past Sunday’s Transfiguration story, where God’s glory appeared on the mountain. We reserve in our hearts stories of Mystery, of resurrection --- of the Cosmic Christ.

God who could not be held in the human form of Jesus in death, rises as Cosmic Christ: there before what is, was.  You are dust and to dust you shall return – is a Valentine of freedom and love of cosmic proportion. It is a promise of collective continual participation in that which is bigger than we can ever hope to imagine.

 

Cosmic dust. Did you know that thousands of tonnes of cosmic dust land on the earth every year? The dust of the Solar System is highly processed. It has been recycled and reformed over and over again from the time before time. Grains of dust have been part of stars, comets, asteroids, and planets, and have returned to dust. Star dust is a particular kind of dust, that makes up a small portion of cosmic dust. It is dust that is resistant to decomposition by heat; it is material that retains its strength at high temperatures.

 

Nikita Gill wrote the poem:

93% Stardust - We have calcium in our bones, iron in our veins. Carbon in our souls, and nitrogen in our brains.

With souls made of flames. We are all just stars that have people names.

 

When I look up at the night sky and see the vast array of twinkling stars – the brilliance of star dust- I am humbled - overwhelmed by beauty and stillness; I am awed into an experience of feeling connected. A connection that spans the ages. When I look at the night sky – the overwhelming feeling- begins to describe the embracing vastness of a God who is gracious. Merciful. Slow to anger. Abounding in steadfast love.

Consider the words of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Grace, mercy, steadfast love --- cosmic dust!

 

For centuries humans have looked up at the night sky and drawn connections; humans have drawn out constellations and follow them by seasons through the sky. Each star is seen in relation to those around it – connected. Paul talks about connection in terms of ‘be reconciled to God.’ Greek philosophers, like Aristotle, used the same Greek word as Paul for reconciled, in a manner meaning to mark a change from enmity to friendship. Be reconciled to God – is a change in heart – from wherever our heart is to a relationship of friendship. Paul is clear that God initiates reconciliation with humans, and did so by coming to earth, incarnate in human flesh. Dying as human Jesus and reconciling all in rising as Cosmic Christ.

 

When I look up at the night sky, when I look at ash crosses on foreheads, when I look eye-to-eye in the ritual of ashes, when I hear the words, “You are dust and to dust you shall return,” I feel Paul’s words…

Being a human, who because of Christ, lives …as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

 

Reconciled to God, we are ambassadors of Christ. We are star dust, in that we are resistant to heat and retain strength amidst the troubles and sufferings of the world. We are enveloped in the treasures of the heavens --- grace, mercy, slowness to anger, abounding steadfast love.  We are covered with this cosmic dust – the love gift of “you are dust and to dust you shall return.”

 

Reconciled to God, be this cosmic dust in the world.

Amen.

The Church's SuperBowl

 

AT THANKSGIVING OF BAPTISM

This is the super bowl! In this bowl of water there is more glory and grace than in any trophy. Through the waters of this super bowl all are winners, all are teammates; one team, one body of Christ.

 

BEFORE GLORIA

You know that person, during a football game, that runs the sideline -arms outstretched side to side, lifting them up and down, encouraging the spectators to cheer louder, to chant the home team’s chant; to get involved and build momentum---- that is what the music director is doing with the Gloria. The congregation is being drawn into participating, giving praise, and cheering God on. By the end of the singing, we are here as a community with one heart and mind, committed to the game.

 

SERMON

 

What a play! A chariot of fire and horses separated Elisha and Elijah and Elijah ascends in a whirlwind into heaven.

 

What a play! Jesus transfigured before the disciples, clothes dazzling bright, and with an assist from Elijah and Moses.

 

TSN Sports Centre puts together ‘Top 10’ lists: the best ‘Hail Mary’ passes, the worst fumbles, legendary Superbowl finishes, memorable field returns.  This morning, our scripture texts are two that would make the ‘Top 10’ list of greatest plays in the Bible: Elijah swept up in the whirlwind, and Jesus transfigured.

 

What makes these the greatest plays in the Bible? To start with they are told and re-told, over and over.  The stories focus on all time favourite players (Elijah, Moses, Jesus); they are flashy, full of glory, and once in a lifetime kind of plays – memorable. They are plays that will never be replicated; they were for that moment in time; they are mysterious. The plays inspire other teammates and spectators to give their best effort towards the goal.

 

Following each Superbowl, sports commentators, team owners, managers, coaches, and players evaluate the plays of the game. Each play is dissected – video footage is reviewed so that nothing learnable is lost.

As a team what do we learn from the plays we have heard? What are our three take ways?

 

1.       Be determined- Elisha sticks with Elijah, walks with him to the very end, and is rewarded by being in the middle of God’s action. In the process he is transformed by the experience, receiving a portion of Elijah’s gifts. Elisha was determined. He did not listen to the guild of prophets who kept on trying to dissuade him, continually focusing on Elijah’s impending death. Elisha was determined to journey with Elijah, no matter what happened or where it would take him. Elisha loved Elijah and that meant being present with him, period.

2.       The Quarterback calls the play- Jesus makes the play of taking Peter, James and John up a mountain and is transfigured- special teams is on the field as Jesus talks with Moses and Elijah. Jesus called the play. Trust the quarterback’s decision to move the ball down the field. In the story we witness Peter, speaking from a place of fear, suggesting the next play be one that is safe. Peter says, “we’ll build tents.” That is not a smart play – it will not advance God’s kindom. Trust the quarterback. You do not have to understand the why of each play. Follow Jesus and be ready to catch the ball when it is passed or handed off to you.

3.       Work as a team – Peter, James, and John were called to be part of the play on the mountain top. This experience would be invaluable to future game play. They were learning how to be future quarterbacks and coaches. They were learning the skills to further the kindom after Jesus’ death.  We catch a glimpse of continued leadership of the Apostles as they coach faith communities who follow Jesus to live and share the Gospel; who further God’s kindom. In Corinthians readers are reminded that even if our gospel is veiled, if the plays we make seem to fumble, keep on! Continue to not proclaim ourselves, rather earnestly focus on making plays proclaiming Jesus.

 

The highlight reel of the Gospel of Mark has three events: Jesus’ baptism, Jesus’ transfiguration, and Jesus’ crucifixion. Each play has a pattern. Each highlight includes: God’s voice, a space of note that is a meeting place between physical and spiritual, and the glory of God appears. Each experience transforms and changes not only the person (Jesus), but those who witness the event. This makes for the greatest plays of all time.

 

It is Superbowl Sunday –

And for some of us that means chips and dip, gathering with friends around screens to watch the football game, cheering our team on. And yes, there will be lots of prayers by passionate fans, for their team to win.

 

It is Superbowl Sunday –

For some of us that means coffee and cookies with a good dose of fellowship. It means gathering around the church’s Superbowl – the baptism font; hearing and dissecting the greatest plays of all time, to learn how to increase and use our gifts to work as a team – a community- trusting the quarterback, Jesus- and being ready to catch and carry the ball, advancing the kindom of God.

And yes, there will be lots of prayers said by individual players and passionate fans for God’s glory to appear.

 

It is Superbowl Sunday- remember:

Be determine. The quarterback calls the play. Work as a team.

 

Go advance the kindom of God.

 

 

BLESSING

Vince Lombardi – the guy who the Superbowl trophy is named after – said:

The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.

 

In the waters of baptism, we have died to ourselves and risen with Christ.

Through this Superbowl we have received grace upon grace,

In the name of the Father,  + the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

 

DISMISSAL

Go prepared to receive the ball; advancing the kindom of God.

Names Are Important: Lutheran Church of the Resurrection

 

Names are important.

Consider for a moment the exercise of naming babies, or pets, stuffed animals, city streets. Finding that precious and suitable name takes time and thought.

Names are so important, according to Isaiah, Creator numbers and names the stars, calling them out to light the evening sky. That’s billions of stars that God names.

Over the past few weeks, the Gospel of Mark has been introducing us to Jesus’ disciples. Jesus, having called them by name, now leads them through Galilee teaching, curing the sick, and casting out demons.  Earlier I read the Gospel from the First Nations Version of the New Testament because the perspective from this translation emphasizes something that is not noticed in English versions --- the names of the disciples wrapped in their meaning and call.

 

Simon is named: One Who Hears

Andrew is named: Stands with Courage

James is named: He Takes Over

John is named: He Shows Goodwill

 

Jesus, named, Creator Sets Free, calls the disciples by name and shares the Creator’s mission and purpose with them. Each one living out their name in their personalities, character, and values.

 

In recent years, there has been an increase in congregations merging or forming new parish configurations. The new body usually choses a new name for the community. For instance: Trillium in Waterloo is the name chosen by three Lutheran churches who joined together; Apostles’ Anglican on the corner of Bayers and Connaught was renamed after a merge of St. Matthais and St. Thomas; a combination of Catholic parishes in Halifax called their merged community, St. Benedict’s.

 

Names are important. As a body of Christ we have been living out Resurrection – our name- God’s call on this community of faith. Our purpose and way of living is Resurrection.

The original founding document wrote Resurrection’s founding purpose and five values this way:

To sustain by the labour and gifts of love the pure Word and Sacraments as God’s only appointed means for saving the lost and for edifying His People; and to maintain a discipline doctrine, righteousness of life, and the peace and growth of the Church

 

The adopted 1980s logo explanation reads that the logo represents:

An empty cross echoing the Easter theme, the sun behind the cross suggesting Christ as the light of the world, the radii on the sun remind us of the individual lines of our lives which focused toward the centre of Christ draws us closer in communion with one another, and finally the vibrant vine of the cross – rising from the rock and rubble of seeming death – reflecting the richness of our lives from God’s gift of Resurrection.

And there is an historical note that the congregation founded in 1915 is a resurrection of the earlier Lutheran congregation of 1755 of the Little Dutch Church.

 

2015 our five founding core values were articulated as:

Welcome to all; being nourished through Word and Sacrament; sharing our space and faith; being a reflection of Christ’s light; and participating in resurrection.

 

I return to the community’s values because these values are how this community lives out its name: Resurrection. It is good to be reminded of Resurrection’s name as we enter into an annual meeting later this morning.

Names are important. God calls by name – and all the uniqueness and meaning that comes with that name.

 

Resurrection.

Resurrection is a place where people come to resurrect their faith and traditions, to start again in community, grieving the churches they left when moving to Halifax, excited to be resurrected to what God is doing in this part of God’s garden.

Resurrection is the promise held when death surrounds and society changes through cataclysmic events: World Wars, baby-booms, immigration, pandemic…

Resurrection is constantly embracing and living the cycle of life and death and life.

 

We are at a threshold. Standing inside Jesus’ tomb, the stone has been rolled away, and we as a community look out in the neighbourhood around us – ready to move once again from death into life; to live God’s resurrection.

In the Gospel for this morning the disciples: One Who Hears, Stand with Courage, He Takes Over, He Shows Goodwill – come to find Creator Sets Free in a quiet out-of-the-way place where he has stepped aside to be alone and pray. When they find Jesus in this tomb-like place, Jesus is transitioning from --- laying down and letting die the previous day with all its teaching and healing; to being filled through prayer and alone time with God; ready to step over the threshold…. Into resurrection living!

Creator Sets Free says to the disciples, “it’s time to go to the other villages and tell them the good story for that is what I came to do.”

 

Like the stars, Creator, numbers, names and calls. We are being called to live resurrection  - it is time to go to the neighbourhood and tell them the good story, for that is what we are called to do. Let our name -Resurrection- remind us of our core values and what we are called to be. May this reminder of who we are direct our conversations and hearts through the annual congregational meeting. … that we might step over the threshold to proclaim resurrection. Christ is alive!

And like the logo, be a vibrant vine growing out of the cross – rising from the rock and rubble of seeming death – reflecting the richness of our lives from God’s gift of Resurrection.

May this be so. Amen.