for Christ has risen

Notes from the Pastor…

Last week was a wonderful week of sacred spaces and services.
On Wednesday, many First Christian Church attendees joined with their brothers and sisters of other traditions for the first community Holy Week service held at J Bar J Country Church.  There we acknowledged our personal likeness to Judas and petitioned God for deliverance from ourselves.

Thursday involved two Maundy Thursday services for many and at both we were challenged to live up to the “new” commandment of Jesus in John 13 – “Love one another.”  At the evening service, we practiced our love by washing our fellow disciples’ hands.  My spirit was moved as my hands were washed by Jack McNeill in the spirit of care, acceptance, service, and love.  I am sure those who experienced this practice would say the same of not only those who washed their hands, but also those whose hands they washed.

“Good” Friday was good!  At 6 p.m. many gathered to remember the passion of the Christ – a passion that bids us confession and provides us with healing.  It was Isaiah who said of the Messiah, that “by his stripes we are healed.”  I was overwhelmed at the number who came to be anointed with oil.  Some came for physical healing, others emotional or relational, and still others spiritual.  No matter the reason, many came, and I found myself tearing up, thinking just as Jesus wept over Jerusalem, so too Jesus is weeping over our hurts and needs.

Following the Good Friday service our church embarked on a 24-hour prayer vigil.  I have heard people testify that they felt they were in a sacred space no matter if they prayed in the prayer room, the prayer garden, or the sanctuary.All of this led up to the feast of Easter Sunday.  It was quite a crowd of friends, family, and neighbors who gathered to worship, pray, commune, and celebrate resurrection!

As we start the season after Easter, the benediction of Sunday continues in my heart: May you experience resurrection in this life and the life to come  – for Christ is risen.  May a resurrection perspective bring you purpose and meaning  – for Christ is risen.  And May grace and peace be yours in abundance – for Christ is risen.  Amen.

Grace, Pastor Ryan