"The End: A New Beginning"
O loving God, once again, maybe especially this year, Easter takes us by surprise. And we pray that soon the obstacles we now face in the midst of this pandemic will be removed. We pray that where once death and despair held us captive in our homes surrounded by anxiety and uncertainty, the bright light of hope and new beginnings will restore us all. Be not afraid. Good words for us to remember in our reality. Be not afraid. Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified is risen; he is not in the tomb.
Suddenly, or maybe gradually the realization hits us as it did the first century followers of Jesus. We recognize the One who was dead as he comes to life in us. Christ is Risen. Alleluia!
May all who encounter the Risen Christ, grow as we trust our lives into your keeping, accept the embrace of your loving arms and receive your forgiveness and your promise of life eternal in Jesus Christ. May we walk in newness of life this day and always.
Together now, as God’s beloved we pray the prayer Jesus taught us saying, Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Our scripture today is from Mark, chapter 16 verses 1-8 from the Common English Bible.
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they could go and anoint Jesus' dead body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they came to the tomb. 3 They were saying to each other, "Who's going to roll the stone away from the entrance for us?" 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. (And it was a very large stone!) 5 Going into the tomb, they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right side; and they were startled. 6 But he said to them, "Don't be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised. He isn't here. Look, here's the place where they laid him. 7 Go, tell his disciples, especially Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you." 8 Overcome with terror and dread, they fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
This is the word of God for a people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Christ the Lord is Risen Today UMH #302
1. Christ the Lord is risen today, Al-le-lu-ia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Al-le-lu-ia!
Raise you joys and triumphs high, Al-le-lu-ia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Al-le-lu-ia!
2. Love’s redeeming work is done, Al-le-lu-ia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Al-le-lu-ia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ has opened paradise, Al-le-lu-ia!
3. Lives again our glorious King, Al-le-lu-ia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Al-le-lu-ia!
Once he died our souls to save, Al-le-lu-ia!
Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Al-le-lu-ia!
4. Soar we now where Christ has led, Al-le-lu-ia!
Following our exalted Head, Al-le-lu-ia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Al-le-lu-ia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Al-le-lu-ia!
5. Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Al-le-lu-ia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Al-le-lu-ia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Al-le-lu-ia!
Hail the Resurection, thou, Al-le-lu-ia!
6. King of glory, soul of bliss, Al-le-lu-ia!
Everlasting life is this, Al-le-lu-ia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Al-le-lu-ia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Al-le-lu-ia!