Easter Week

 

Recently I’ve gone back to reading a little book called “Attitudes of Gratitude.” Early this week I came across a devotion in this book that suggested we notice all the gifts that come to us through our senses, especially small things that we see, hear, taste and smell. This Easter week I’ve taken this to heart. Spring in the desert provides a feast for this, so I’ve noticed the fragrance of citrus blossoms, the beauty of cactus blooming in our front yard, the sound of birds as well the curl of a baby’s finger around mine and so much more. I’ve tried to continue my Lenten discipline of noticing those things and saying “Thank you, God, for ….”

I think it’s easy to leave Lent, Holy Week and Easter behind as if it is a “been there, done that” time. Easter is a season, though, and more than that, it is a way of life. New life and the hope and joy it brings not only comes to us at Easter but surrounds us all the time. I just gave some examples in the first paragraph of this.

There is even more to Easter, though. Beyond the beauty of things alive around us is the life that Christ offers to our hearts, our spirits, our very beings. After the challenges, fears and anxieties of this past year, knowing that Christ’s life is within and around me is not only inspiring, it brings relief and strength to me. I hope that’s true for you, too.

In this Easter season, we start a new sermon series this Sunday, April 11, called “According to Jesus, Love Is …” Jesus is what our Christian faith is about, right? So as we continue our 2021 theme “Love Is …” we go directly to the heart of what Jesus tells us about that. At 9 a.m. this Sunday, we begin outdoor in-person worship on the west patio and continue with recorded worship at 9:45 a.m. online.

Blessings,
Sharon

P.S. I extend my sincere gratitude to all those who led us through Lent, Holy Week and Easter, including our office, education, youth and music staff, as well as tech leaders, worship committee, and so many more. Thank you!