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Special Greeting on A Very Unusual Easter
Greeting and Blessed Easter from myself, priest, pastors, staff and our families.
This is an unusually long greeting but stay with me.
Matthew 28:8-10 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
A very unusual Easter. No gathering in church. No hymns and the ringing of bell in church. Worship taking place in manner we have never done in our church history.
We are all in a history that will be recorded as the darkest since 2nd World War. We wait daily to hear that we have zero case in our country. A sigh of relief and a breadth of fresh air when that news come at the end of the day. Yet we hope another day. We have never waited like this before.
Each day is filled with more death and more cases if we have not gone too discouraged to turn on the news. The number is climbing and with all honesty there is no light at the end of the tunnel yet.
Still in our own little world no one is untouched or unaffected. From business, work, school to social life, sports and movement, all are affected. It weighs ones down slowly. It feels like swimming in the ocean. Swimming that seems endless. Some of us are feeling tired and discouraged. It has been a long swim. How long more can I go?
Yet still they are others who are not just swimming for himself or herself, they are carrying others. We remember the frontlines, the medical team, doctors and nurses. We remember leaders who has to make tough decision that is unprecedented. They have to push through in spite of their personal struggle, loneliness, fear of wrong decision and knowing that it will never be right in the eyes of all. The weight of finding answers is never so heavy. Each day seems heavier. Courage is needed more than any time.
At such a dark time we need to be strong and courageous, and together. We need to keep one another afloat and alive. We need one another words of care and encouragement and laughter.
There is much more. Christ is with us. He has not forgotten us and looked away. I know this because of the cross. And He is not weak but strong. He is not far but near. He is not defeated but victorious. He is alive... Not dead. Alive. Hallelujah. He is risen indeed.
Greeting and Blessed Easter from myself, priest, pastors, staff and our families.
This is an unusually long greeting but stay with me.
Matthew 28:8-10 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
A very unusual Easter. No gathering in church. No hymns and the ringing of bell in church. Worship taking place in manner we have never done in our church history.
We are all in a history that will be recorded as the darkest since 2nd World War. We wait daily to hear that we have zero case in our country. A sigh of relief and a breadth of fresh air when that news come at the end of the day. Yet we hope another day. We have never waited like this before.
Each day is filled with more death and more cases if we have not gone too discouraged to turn on the news. The number is climbing and with all honesty there is no light at the end of the tunnel yet.
Still in our own little world no one is untouched or unaffected. From business, work, school to social life, sports and movement, all are affected. It weighs ones down slowly. It feels like swimming in the ocean. Swimming that seems endless. Some of us are feeling tired and discouraged. It has been a long swim. How long more can I go?
Yet still they are others who are not just swimming for himself or herself, they are carrying others. We remember the frontlines, the medical team, doctors and nurses. We remember leaders who has to make tough decision that is unprecedented. They have to push through in spite of their personal struggle, loneliness, fear of wrong decision and knowing that it will never be right in the eyes of all. The weight of finding answers is never so heavy. Each day seems heavier. Courage is needed more than any time.
At such a dark time we need to be strong and courageous, and together. We need to keep one another afloat and alive. We need one another words of care and encouragement and laughter.
There is much more. Christ is with us. He has not forgotten us and looked away. I know this because of the cross. And He is not weak but strong. He is not far but near. He is not defeated but victorious. He is alive... Not dead. Alive. Hallelujah. He is risen indeed.
In
our darkest moment let Christ our brightest and eternal Light.
In our turmoil and fear let Him be our peace.
In our weaknesses let Him be our strength, our joy, our courage and our hope.
When we find ourselves sinking let us be caught by the arms who hold the world and also that caught the fearful and drowning Peter.
In our lack of answer let the risen Christ be our answer.
"We are not to be surprised in living as Christians brings us to the place where we find we are at the end of our resources, and that we are called to rely on the God who raised the dead." N.T. Wright.
Be filled with the joy, peace and hope of the Risen Christ.
Serving Christ with Joy,
Rev Johnny
In our turmoil and fear let Him be our peace.
In our weaknesses let Him be our strength, our joy, our courage and our hope.
When we find ourselves sinking let us be caught by the arms who hold the world and also that caught the fearful and drowning Peter.
In our lack of answer let the risen Christ be our answer.
"We are not to be surprised in living as Christians brings us to the place where we find we are at the end of our resources, and that we are called to rely on the God who raised the dead." N.T. Wright.
Be filled with the joy, peace and hope of the Risen Christ.
Serving Christ with Joy,
Rev Johnny