A Note from Our Associate Pastor

Dear friends in Christ,

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “April Showers Bring May Flowers” before.

I’m so looking forward to creation bursting forth around us in the coming weeks and months. I love to see the brilliantly colored flowers shoot up from the ground and bloom in so many different colors. It’s a joy to see the dry grass becoming greener and greener, eventually being full of life that birds and animals feast on. I may avoid them, but the buzzing of the bees is a welcome sign of continued growth. Butterflies will flutter with splashes of color and gentle flight. 

We too will burst forth as a new creation as we continue our Lenten pilgrimage, walk to the cross with Christ, experience death that should be final, and yet we know new life and celebrate Christ’s resurrection on Easter. Creation bursts forth from the sanctuary during easter. Beautiful flowers, lilies, hyacinths, tulips, and hydrangeas will decorate our altar and chancel and proclaim that Christ has risen in bold colors and sweet smells. Life is renewed. 

Though we continue to fast from the word Alleluia in worship, I wanted to mention another opportunity we had and will have to see how creation and resurrection are proclaimed. This year, we buried the Alleluia in a new and special way. The word in bold color was printed with these words, “Thus, the Alleluia was sung for the last time and not heard again until it suddenly bursts into glory at Easter when this sacred word is repeated three times, as a herald of the resurrection of Christ.” Those paper placed into the baptismal font will burst forth just our voices shout. Keep an eye out for them this Easter. 

This spring, I invite you to remember that bursting forth of new life. Care for the creation around us. Care for the beloved creation that you are. Celebrate the gift of resurrection. 

Carry these scripture verses with you:

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

Peace,

Pastor Ellen