Friday, April 5, 2013

March 31 Easter Sunday for all


Luke 23: 44-56 and Luke 24: 1-9

“5The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” 

Corinthians 2: 16-21

16From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”

Easter Sunday has fond memories for me- a new dress, lots of photographs, a special meal with relatives and friends.  And of course, chocolate!

Covenant UMC had the all-in-one Easter celebration yesterday.  The church service with adults and children, a special Easter Brunch catered by one of the best breakfast places in The Woodlands- The Egg and I- and a traditional Easter Egg Hunt for the kids.  The Easter Bunny even made a guest appearance for photographs.

A special mini-sermon at church was led by Patricia Scott, Director of Children’s Ministries.  If you ever wanted to know what your child is learning while you are in church, this was a wonderful opportunity to see and comprehend. 

Miss Patricia started by having Michael Rafferty, our worship leader, put on an old overcoat belonging to a relative, and then she tied him up!  This was to demonstrate how we can get “tied up” with all the things that may be wrong or repeat bad behavior- and at the extreme, sin. She explained that if we can change, if we can believe in Jesus and God, then we have a chance of being without sin and therefore free. And she cut the ribbons tying Michael’s hands.  But as humans, it is hard to change.  She asked Michael to keep his hands clasped as if he were still tied, and try to remove the sports coat.  He could not.  We have to really want to change and work at change to keep ourselves from sin.

More importantly, during Rev. Jason’s portion of the sermon, we learned that humans can become new with the Resurrection of Jesus, and letting the Holy Spirit into ourselves and our lives. While Jesus lived and died a long time ago, the gift of Jesus for Christians is hope and salvation.  Christians can live in the day with the Holy Spirit and live for eternal life.  I really listened to the words of Communion- how uplifting to talk of Jesus on this day. 

Renewed Christian

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