Stripped of traditions and rituals, this Easter service may remind us that the promise at the heart of the gospel is that God is both with us and for us at all times and through all conditions. In sorrow or joy triumph of tragedy, in gain our loss, in peace or fear, in scarcity or plenty, in sickness or in health. God is present. And because of Christ’s love, all harsh realities of this life do not have the last word. God’s light is more powerful than darkness. God’s love is stronger than hate. God prevails over all things- even death. So this day, even this day, we may rejoice because Christ is risen!
He is risen!
He is risen indeed!
The sermon and children’s sermon videos are posted below.
Pastor Cress Darwin delivers a message for Easter Sunday 2020.
Stay home, stay healthy and let’s flatten the curve! Sermon videos will be posted online for 10:30 a.m. on Sundays as we worship together from home.
Sarah Craven delivers a children’s message for Easter Sunday 2020.
SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, April 12, 2020
Dr. Bill Brown of Columbia Seminary sent a lovely commentary on these times – “The Life-giving Emptiness of Easter.” The truth is that the narrative we celebrate today, and on which we hang our very lives, “began with an ‘empty tomb’ and three fearful women – a tomb emptied of death.”
Brown reminds us that we’ve shuttered our sacred spaces “not in despair, but in testimony that lives are being saved in doing so.”
We are not abandoning the gospel, but bearing witness to the fact that Christ is not constricted nor contained within the walls, but lives in the hearts of believers. And Christ calls us to join him in meeting folks where they are.
In Christ -
For over 70 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided Presbyterians a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need around the world. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.
Our session has approved the time for our congregation's giving to this offering to be during Holy Week. You can mail to the church a check marked 'OGHS' or you can go online and click on 'Give' and choose "One Great Hour".