10 Mar 1999
05:29:17

Anyone want to start early on this one? The messenger tells them to go to Gallilee to see Jesus but they never get there...? They see Jesus while they're ontheir way and they hold his feet? With fear and great joy/that's preaching on easter for sure! Pam -Tpa


19 Mar 1999
22:53:25

Pam, you gave me an idea. The women see Jesus while they are "on the way." Not after they arrived. Isn't that where we meet the risen Christ? -Right in the midst of everyday life, while we're on the way. Mary in AZ


20 Mar 1999
21:24:41

One of the ways I have talked about this is that God steers us when we are moving, trying to live the life we have been given. When we are sitting still waiting, we just keep waiting. God can do anything, but God comes to us most when we are doing God's work. Doug, UT


20 Mar 1999
21:25:41

One of the ways I have talked about this is that God steers us when we are moving, trying to live the life we have been given. When we are sitting still waiting, we just keep waiting. God can do anything, but God comes to us most when we are doing God's work. Doug, UT


23 Mar 1999
05:37:37

Is there a connection between taking hold of Jesus' feet here and washing the disciples feet in the John passage on Holy Thursday? Pam inTpa


23 Mar 1999
21:06:20

I like the thought of encountering Christ While "on the way!" Also wondering about the significance of Galilee. What was in Galilee? Where is today's Galilee? Isn't Galilee home for the disciples? Could it be we find Jesus as we try to find our way home? Not sure. Or was Galilee a forward push--out into the world??? There must be some significance with the feet also---still pondering...... Brook


24 Mar 1999
14:19:49

I'm trying to come up with an idea for our Sunrise Service. It usually includes drama of some kind so I'm thinking of starting out very somber, as if it's a funeral service for Jesus. But after a few minutes Mary Magdalene (or maybe an angel) will run up and tell the good news. What do you think? Any ideas along this line, or different approaches you'd suggest? Yes, I know its late! Rebecca in MD


24 Mar 1999
14:25:40

I'm trying to come up with an idea for our Sunrise Service. It usually includes drama of some kind so I'm thinking of starting out very somber, as if it's a funeral service for Jesus. But after a few minutes Mary Magdalene (or maybe an angel) will run up and tell the good news. What do you think? Any ideas along this line, or different approaches you'd suggest? Yes, I know its late! Rebecca in MD


24 Mar 1999
19:07:12

I wish someone would come up with a drmatic reading like the one for the Women at the Well. That was great. My wife and I took it and worked it into a readers theatre type drama. It had a real impact in our worship. Doug UT


25 Mar 1999
15:18:21

Hey Mary,

Not only does Jesus come to us in the midst of everyday life, while we are on the way, but also is with us.

A commentary I read pointed out that there was no "reason" for Jesus to appear to the women as they were on their way. He did not give the women anything new nor did he needed to encourage them. They were on their way to tell the disciples about the empty tomb. Yet, he appeared to them anyway. A powerful way of letting them know that when he says he will be with us, he will be!

Brandon in CA


26 Mar 1999
19:19:45

Rebecca, I did a monologue as Mary Magdelene coming to the tomb with the spices for Jesus' body I think I still have a copy of it. I never use notes but wrote and memorized this whole thing for my sermon I came from the back with basket in hand. If you like I will try to find it and if I can get mys scanner to work with my email, I can email it to you. jmj


26 Mar 1999
19:23:16

Got my request on the wrong reading. So will try again. Does anyone have a good story about a Butterfly and Easter? jmj


26 Mar 1999
21:50:25

Several persons have asked about dramatic readings. Diane Huie Balay's book "The Man From Nazareth" includes 24 chancel dramas about the life of Christ. The one called "He is Risen" has Mary running to Peter with the good news. The dramas are well written and easy to use as readers' theater. The book is available from Cokesbury. AL in OR


29 Mar 1999
04:50:16

Here's a thought: Why did Jesus first appear to Mary? Thought - She was the one that needed him most, at that time of her life. Then he went to the others who had found other things in life to occupy and confort. The others were looking: Mary had him! Just a thought to stir the pot


29 Mar 1999
06:27:22

I'm looking for a Easter Sunrise service meditation... any ideas???


29 Mar 1999
08:32:57

Pam, Thanks for the germ of an idea: "with fear and great joy." How often is our faith journey marked by both fear and great joy. The angel's word of "Don't be afraid" does not condemn us for our fear, but encourages us to overcome it with the great joy that comes from being in the presence of Christ. Ira in Montana. PS. Desmond Tutu once (or more than once) recommended that we bow to each person we meet to honor the presence of Christ in that person.


29 Mar 1999
09:10:53

"I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified."

The call of Easter -- to stop looking for a powerless crucified God, and start expecting miracles. To start believing that God is in our midst right now, calling us to great things. Renewal! Transformation! Bunnies and eggs are all very well, but he is looking to touch our souls and change them. He is looking to touch our sols and change everything!! Time to stop looking for Jesus who is crucified. he ain't here....

HW in HI


29 Mar 1999
09:44:51

I hear the Easter lections (Jeremiah, Colossians, Matthew) telling us to "Get Up and Get Going!" The families of Israel respond: "Arise,let us go up to Zion, the the Lord our God." The saints and faithful ones at Colossae are told to live the resurrection reality now: "Seek the things that are above." And, as has been pointed out already, the angel of the Lord and Jesus set these two sad women and the disciples in motion. Resurrection is real in the movement of the Church--in the movement of awe and wonder in worship, in the movement of the Church through the neighborhood in mission. - gms


29 Mar 1999
10:06:48

jmj I also am preaching on buterflies and Easter...thanks to a Sunday School theme. We are creating a tomb for Good Friday with a rock in front of it. As the story is told on Sunday the rock will be rolled away and the children will be in the pews making paper butterflies. When the sermon is over they will come forward and decorate the tomb with the butterflies. If only I can figure out what to say in between! JR in Mississauga


29 Mar 1999
13:11:46

Hi folks

There seems to be a lot of fear in the text, and for good reason, I think. Something unexpected has really happened here. The two Mary's have the great courage to go and prepare the body, and the unexpected happens. Now, their future is really uncertain. Even when they meet Jesus on the way, they are afraid, mixed with joy. Joyful because they have spoken with Jesus, but still afraid because they do not know what their future holds. Death is certain and containable - knowable; this resurrection brings about something that makes them feel uncertain.

Fear can immobilize. We keep company with the Mary's and the disciples with our own fears - fears that arise out of illness, dying, unemployment, etc. - anything that brings uncertainty into our lives (which is most things since we cannot predict our future). This text invites us to name our fears.

The question then becomes, "What do we do with our fears?". Fear can immobilize, taking away so much of life. Yet, is not the opposite of fear, trust or faith. This Easter resurrection invites us to have trust in the God who will never let us go, not even through death. And so, today we can admit our fears, and be reminded that these fears do not have to immobilize us. We can face our futures, no matter what they are, in the confidence that God will never let us go.

So, Mary and Mary, be afraid, but also be joyful, for our Lord who gives us hope is always with us on the way.

What do you think?


30 Mar 1999
00:28:28

Remember the woman who had been forgiven much breaking into the Pharisee's house to pour her expensive perfume on Jesus feet? Years after the shock had worn off, people in the early church remembered her and said, Wish I had done that. Overcoming our embarrassment and falling at Jesus' feet is something we can do and need to do (to the horror of some religious folk and clergy types). This is a great week to fall in love.

Anne in Providence


30 Mar 1999
00:34:38

jmj, If you get your scanner to work could you post your monologue under Sermon Review?

Doug in UT, I'm going to try a reader's theater piece of John's text and will post it under Sermon Review.

Anne in Providence


30 Mar 1999
01:26:35

What does Galilee mean to Christian expecting Easter? It is very meaningful to say "there they will see my, at Galilee. Where is our Galilee in our life? Who is modern Galilians to us, Christians? Why did risen Jesus say that?


30 Mar 1999
06:34:36

Here's a children's sermon idea that was done by a fellow clergyperson at my home church. Betty had given plastic eggs to the children. The eggs were filled with candy or something...all except one. Fortunately one of the more boisterous children received the empty one and shouted out "Hey mine's empty." This led to a short discussion of the empty tomb.

In Homiletics magazine there's an outline for a children's sermon: Come, See, Go, Tell, the instructions from the angel.

To my butterfly friends: remember the analogy of cocoon and butterfly only goes so far. The caterpillar doesn't die, it just changes. Resurrection is bringing life to the lifeless. We don't have to fall asleep or become numb to ourselves. We have to die to our sinful nature.

John near Pitts.


30 Mar 1999
06:42:54

Sunrise Suggestion

Two years ago since there is a small cemetary very close to our church, I had the sunrise service there. I spent a bit of time prior to Easter walking through the cemetary and reading the markers, stones. Several husbands of our widows are buried here. There is even a headstone with a person's name and date of birth...date of death isn't filled in yet because the person is still alive...pretty prepared.

There were many stories: a woman burying several children and living to a very old age. Some of the stones were inscribed with sayings: ironically one very weathered stone could barely be read...the inscription was: gone but not forgotten. There were symbols like belonging to a fire-fighting unit, as well as Masonry etc. My favorite inscription was, "In Christ We Live."

My suggestion before Sunday: Take a walk in a cemetary and read the stones. It's wonderful to know that it doesn't end in a graveyard.

John near Pitts.


30 Mar 1999
06:48:28

In regard to the significance of Galilee, here's an article I wrote for our church's newsletter.

Pleas pardon the length.

A Familiar Site and an Uncertain Step

Thinking of a ga-zillion things that he'd rather be doing, the dutiful son picks up the suitcases and heads toward the car. The bags aren't nearly as heavy as his schedule and he hopes he won't get too far behind with his work. Catch-up was never his favorite sport. For the life of him he can't quite understand how he let himself get talked into making the trip nor does he fully understand his mother's motivations. But a promise is a promise and unexpectedly the doctors cleared her for the journey.

She is rather quiet during the drive, and leans her head against the passenger window watching for signs of something familiar that hasn't sprouted a shopping mall or housing development. She reaches over and pats her son's hand and smiles a smile that somehow shows calm and fear at the same time, not unlike her expression when she buried her husband 15 years ago. She is going home.

It's something that he won't understand for another 20 or 30 years, but he will, in time. When it is his time. She is going back once again, perhaps for the last time to where she was born and raised, a place and time unknowable to him because it is her childhood and not his. She is going back to be rocked to sleep in the cradle of her memories, and in so doing complete the circle. She began here and in a way she will end here. She just wanted to see the old house once again before dying. It was never phrased that way but both mother and son know full well the passing of time. Perhaps it was his fear of loosing her that chewed at his stomach and filled his head with the busyness of living. A child always needs his mother no matter how old he gets.

They sit in front of the old homestead until somewhere from deep within her she hears a voice, "Follow me." Without taking her eyes off the house she finally speaks, "Okay." It is only one word but with it she musters the courage to let go and face the next step in her journey. He starts the car and pulls away, she closes her eyes and smiles.

(And after the resurrection, Peter went back home to where it all began, to the comfort of Galilee. He had come full circle and just like the first time when Jesus called him, he was fishing. And just like the first time, the net was full. "Follow me," spoke Jesus and once again Peter took one last look around and picked up his things and made his way toward home. John 21:1-19)

He is Risen, Alleluia John Logan


30 Mar 1999
08:00:09

RE Butterflies,

I will never forget the image Elizabet Kubler Ross gave in one of her lectures. She had an old grey pouch that looked much like a cocoon. She spoke of death as the breaking of the cocoon and the transformation into new life. She broke open the cocoon and pulled out a beautiful butterfly.

She uses this image in teaching dying children about life after death. There is a part of the caterpillar that must die before it can become a butterfly.

I like the saying I picked up here a few weeks ago: "You can fly, but you must get rid of the cocoon."

What potential for life lies trapped in our own cocoons of fear, hopelessness, apathy. The stone was rolled away,not just for Jesus to be raised, but for us to come out, too.

Fred in LA


30 Mar 1999
10:25:36

My mother has now buried two husbands (the second, my father, this month) and three of her four children. Every death, she takes out the poem she wrote in 1969, immediately after the death of her second child, my sister. She wrote then: The Butterfly It is not darkness the "larva" goes into. . . as he spins his cocoon. . . It is not loneliness, for Christ is with him. . . working His miracle. . . which comes forth in the Spring. . .

In beautiful Resurrection, as a "Butterfly," In fulfillment of His promise to us. . . a living symbol, if we but believe. by Theresa M. Smith, 1969

revup


30 Mar 1999
11:49:09

For whatever reason I tried looking at this passage from the point of view of the disciples. After all, both the angel and Jesus spoke of them. These men would become the foundation of the church. They had been prepared by Jesus very carefully for the past 3 years. So I found it peculiar that Jesus did not greet them that 1st Easter, but decided to greet Mary and Mary Magdalene. But then I realized that these men had to do the same thing Christians have had to do ever since. They had to believe the testimony of someone else--the women (faith?) and then act upon their faith by going to Galilee. The significance of Galilee is that there they would see Jesus. Isn't that what Easter is really all about? Believing that Jesus rose from the grave and acting on that belief? And when we do, will we not also see Jesus? That is pretty good news I believe. Hope this helps some. Art in KY


30 Mar 1999
15:20:49

Jesus's appearance to the women is remarkable because a woman would have not been considered a credible witness--in fact, she could not testify in legal/religious court. Matthew is also the Gospel that gives us the " as you have done to the least of these..." commandment. Jesus doesn't appear first to the legal courts, religious courts--hmmm. What a different story it would have been if Jesus had appeared to Pilate, to Caiaphas. But no. He appeared to women and to the eyes of faith...as he promised to appear to us in "the least of these." Betsy in OH


30 Mar 1999
21:04:07

Art in Ky, thanks, you helped gel my sermon.

I remember my OT professor saying it was our "obligation" on Easter to address the question of whether or not the resurrection is real. I thought then (and now), if you don't think the resurrection is real, you probably won't be in church. We are preaching to the faithful (although not the faithful attenders in many cases) and I want to reiterate that for them. They ARE the faithful, they ARE the called, they ARE the disciples (even if they don't get to temple very often now that they're out spreading the gospel . . .) We ARE the ones who must rely on the testimony of someone else -- a lot of someone elses.

Speaking of deciding whether or not the resurrection is real, what's the name of that group that decides whether or not Jesus really said/did any of the things in the NT? It's the Jesus Something. They drop either a white or black ball in a jar, and if there's one black ball, whatever it is they're debating isn't true. I think I've blacked out their name from my brain.

Thanks for your comments. They all help.

RevJan


31 Mar 1999
01:06:00

RJ - It's the Jesus seminar.

I am in an odd situation. We are doing one service only, a 6 AM Easter Vigil. About 7:30 we'll get to the point that most of our congregation is accustomed to, and many will come at that point. We'll be done by 8:30 and start partying. But to the sermon: some will have come through the journey of the Hebrew scripture, from Genesis to Zephaniah, others will have heard the Epistle and Gospel only. Some will have had a Holy Lent, others will not know what Lent means. Some will be young and restless, some will be old and restless. Everybody's looking for meaning.

I like the butterfly. I like what Betsy had to say about the women. And I would really like the power of the resurrection to be palpable....

More thoughts, takes & directions would be welcome!

HW in HI


31 Mar 1999
03:27:32

I've posted a Readers' Theater piece for John 20:1-18 under Sermon Review. Anne in Providence


31 Mar 1999
03:48:05

John near Pitts.: Thanks for the great suggestion to check out a cemetery for a sunrise service. (In a church I once served we had a funeral home next door, from which we had buried many people. We used it on Christmas Eve, lighting candles outside the funeral home and walking to the church for the birth narratives and carols.) Anne in Providence


31 Mar 1999
04:09:30

Rev Jan: New Testament scholar Charlie (CFD) Moule (Cambridge, England) used to say three things convinced him of the Resurrection if I remember correctly: 1. That all three synoptic gospels show women as the first witnesses even though their testimony could not stand up in court. If it were a hoax, the Early Church would certainly have substantiated their case better than that. 2. That they all began referring to Jesus as LORD, using the unutterably holy I AM word that equates him to YHWH in the burning bush. 3. That those fractured disciples could be so united in a radical change as Jews who were accustomed to worshipping on the sabbath, suddenly worshipping God on the first day of the week in celebration of the "Lord's Day." Moule's explanations were more substantive and compelling than my summary. Anne in Providence


31 Mar 1999
04:50:10

I am playing with the idea of Go and Tell. One commentary made the point that the Greek words used by the angel "Go and tell" and by Jesus are different. As usual the Greek has a meaning that can't be directly translated. But the words used by the angel are in a form that means 'go' walk - leave - proceed and tell is simply to say. The Greek words that Jesus uses mean depart - lead - bring under - lead on slowly and provlaim - confess - report - acknowledge. Jesus is calling us to do more than just 'go and tell' about an empty tomb. And the reality of the Resurrection isn't found in the tomb, but in the living presence of Jesus. One commentary said there was not reason for Jesus to appear to Mary because he said the same thing as the angel -- But did he? And meeting the risen Lord - no matter what he says changes everything. RevNick


31 Mar 1999
06:15:16

Thanks for the many comments. Want to add something to the conversation. Read something remarkable the other day about the angel and the stone. It wasn't rolled away in order to let Jesus out of the tomb, instead, it was rolled away to let us in. Easter happens in the passive tense in this passage. "He has been raised." But Easter has to be in the present tense for us. We have to respond. We have to go and tell the others. We have to be willing to travel to Galillee in order to have a meeting with Jesus. Another interesting note has to do with the verb tense that is used when the angel talks of Jesus having been crucified. It is a perfect tense and it means an action that has been completed but still has effect. His crucifixion is once and done, but it results in folks still trying to do it to him again, and to us, if we dare step into the tomb.


31 Mar 1999
10:13:37

A number of thoughts about that which I have been reading. With regard to "Galilee" Matthew records Jesus as telling the disciples that "after I am raised to life, I will go to Galilee ahead of you" (26:32), so Matthew now completes the prediction for us. Secondly, I too like the idea of "fear and great joy" as the real feelings of Easter. The women confronted their fears and went to the tomb and found joy. What are the fears that emtomb us, that need to be faced. I will tell the story of a phone call I received two years ago from a former friend of my son. Angie now 26 was trying to locate some of her high school chums who had been with her ten years earlier when she was diagnosed with cancer in her leg. For the week or so before surgery these teenagers had created a schedule to visit her as she faced the biggest challenge and fear of her life. Now ten years later she wanted to invite them to a party to celebrate the tenth anniversary of her life after cancer. She knews the fear and great joy that is also Easter. Lastly, I am looking for the story/legend of "hot cross buns". I have heard that it has something to do with the stone at the tomb, but my baker friend couldn't tell me any more. Help please anyone??? Deke of the North


31 Mar 1999
10:19:33

To Rebecca. RE: Sunrise service. The idea of Mary Magdelen running up the isle shouting the news is exciting. I have done that very piece then allowing the spirit of Mary Mag. to take over and tell the people of HER relationship with Jesus and why that moment was so special. Very moving especially on Easter morning. Good Luck and God Bless Vicki in AL


31 Mar 1999
10:33:11

Has anyone played with the irony of the guards shaking with fear and fainting as dead men while the ground shakes and Jesus becomes a live man?

I wonder what the guards said to each other after they regained conciousness. Why am I sitting in this puddle? Aliens? I think I've had an existential experience?

The guards saw it all but did they become followers? They were "witnesses", though (see vs. 11). Think about it. How is it that someone who had been there, seen angels, felt the earth shake, saw the stone move, witnessed the resurrection -- AND THEN THEY ACCEPTED BRIBES TO REPORT OTHERWISE?

Some people say they want personal proof/experience of such matters but others who had personal experiences of God's power turned and went the other way. Which will we be?

-Brad in Turlock, California-


31 Mar 1999
10:42:11

I have been silently reading everyone's comments for months, but now I have to ask a question. Several said they put something on the sermon preview - What is the Sermon Preview and how do I get to it. Thank you Pastor Phyllis


31 Mar 1999
17:19:08

Phyllis, Welcome! It's actually "Sermon Review" and is listed after the gospel lesson under each date in the lectionary column. Just click there and you should be all set. I've posted a sermon there for Good Friday and there's a great piece on the Easter Sunday lessons. Blessings, Susan in SanPedro


31 Mar 1999
17:20:52

Help, all this butterfly talk reminded me of a Debbie Boone song "First Butterfly" in which she compares Jesus to the first butterfly. It winds up, "You only have to die." Can anyone help me find all the words to the song? HELP! revup


31 Mar 1999
19:06:53

revup -

looked everywhere. (Anything but work on my sermon!) found You Light Up My Life, but not First Butterfly. This needs a master searcher!

HW


01 Apr 1999
07:25:01

RE Hot Cross Buns

Do you know what you get when you pour hot water down a rabbit hole? Hot cross bunnies.

Sorry bout that. Couldnt resist.

Fred in LA


01 Apr 1999
08:04:46

Saw request for butterfly and Easter story. Not what you had in mind, but Guideposts classis is of little boy--numerous problems--physically and mentallly challenged--whose mother wanted him to have normal life and sent him to Sunday School Kids there made fun of him, put him down. The Sun. before Easter, the teacher handed out plastic eggs and asked each kid to bring back the next week, with symbol of resurrection 1st egg had flower--child who brought it proud, "That's mine!" Second egg--rock with moss growing on it. That child proud, "The moss is a symbol of new life." Third egg was empty--brought by boy, whom everyone snickered at and giggled at as usual, saying, "What a wierdo. As usual, he didn't do what asked." Teacher ready to try to cover for him, but he says to class, "But, it's empty because the tomb was empty. Isn't that the point? An empty tomb because Jesus had risen!" A few months later, the boy's physical problems get worse and he, sadly, dies. At funeral people wonder why there is a flower arrangement on the casket--an arrangement with plastic eggs. Because Jimmy had taught them what the resurrection is all about. the tomb is empty. Jesus is risen! Grady Roe


01 Apr 1999
11:23:44

Resurrections …

He wasn't a bad person you understand, at least within the framework of goodness and badness as it's typically defined. He was just going through the world, forging a life in a manner which seemed to suit his personality, neither bad nor good, much like the boy next door, or the man down the street, much like Mr. Thompson the local grocer, or Bill the neighborhood cop. No, he wasn't a bad man.

He was a member of a flight crew, flying on one of the Air Force's most sophisticated communications aircraft. They were based in Honolulu and on occasion would fly across the Pacific stopping at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, "a good place to stop," he thought. After all, there was good food and much shopping to be done. And then, there was always the odd nightclub with it's loud music and cheap beer. "Yes, a good stop indeed."

Like so many of the lesser developed nations, anywhere there is an enclave of wealthy westerners, the impoverished children gather to beg. And just outside of the main gate at Clark Air Base, one could always find scores of begging children mixed into the scene of loud street vendors and the noisy scream of music cascading from the multitude of bars. Chaos. And to the young airman and his friends -- a scene which represented the promise of laughter, revelry, and the merriment of debaucherous diversion.

As they made their way through the mass of humanity the young airman suddenly found his way blocked by a small bare-footed girl. She could not have been more than six or seven years old. She stood in his path, her face streaked with the grime from the streets, her dirty dress draped about her small undernourished frame. She held out her hand and in broken English she said, "Please, GI, please."

Now, it wasn't that the airman was necessarily an uncaring person, but after all, there were scores of other children surrounding them, and he knew that if he gave a few coins to this girl, then all the other children would demand it as well. He watched as his friends continued on to their waiting taxi and he started to push by the ragged small street urchin. Suddenly, with strength which belied her size and condition, she grabbed his pants leg and tenaciously again demanded, "Please, GI, please."

The young man struggled to remove himself from the young girl's clutches but in the ensuing fracas, somehow she managed to wrap her leg around his leg. And there he was, stumbling about from side to side with this small dirty creature hanging on to his leg, stumbling about in the street to the greatly increasing amusement of his friends, the street vendors, and any other persons who happened to venture by. Louder and louder the laughter became and he began to grow more and more irritated with the rag-a-muffin that clung to him. Finally, in an exasperated and greatly humiliated gesture, he placed his hands are her shoulders and shoved her onto the dirty street. And that is where he left her, like some discarded piece of filth. He went on and joined his friends, refusing to return, refusing even to look back.

The young airman didn't think about the incident for a long while, until one day, without welcome and without warning, this person came to him, came to him out of the fog of past promises, came to him from a faith that he had forgotten, came to him and said, "I was hungry, and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. I was naked and you did not even toss me your rags, sick and you did not care for me, a stranger and you refused me. I was a prisoner, and you never once visited me."

And suddenly, in a flash of recognition, the young man knew to whom he was speaking. He stammered, "When Lord, when!? When did I ever see you hungry, or thirsty, or naked. When did I ever see you a stranger or sick. And certainly, Lord, certainly, when did I ever see you in prison!? Jesus looked at him and said, "Right outside of Clark Air Base, that's where you saw me. For when you failed to do unto this little one, you failed to do unto me." With sadness in his eyes, the Christ who suffers, turned his back - just as the airman had once done - and too, went on his way. And the young airman, who was neither very good nor very bad, watched him leave, a small bare-footed girl, in a tattered dirty dress.

The years go by and the seasons change and in a country-seat town in eastern North Carolina, far removed from the steaming hills of the Philippines, there was a small Methodist church with 12 members. They were shared solid working middle class roots. They were smaller and perhaps older than most congregations, but all in all, they looked much like any other small church. They had made their own way and it had not been easy. Now, almost all of the members were retired and their children had grown and moved away - hearing the call of other opportunities, hearing the call of life from beyond boundaries which must be broken.

Services were quiet, looking more like a funeral than not. There was little singing for there was no one left to play the old, battered piano. Any who ventured into this place would have agreed, it was a dying congregation in a dying little rundown church. Maybe, it was already dead. Yet, they still clung to the hope that maybe God might respond to their prayers, that God might somehow again give them life. They clung to the hope, even as remote as it seemed.

One summer, a new pastor was appointed to the rundown little church, appointed right out of seminary. She had not been in the Methodist system long enough to be properly credentialed and as the church didn't give much in the way to denominational causes, they had little sway with the powers that be. So, here they were, a young Lutheran pastor who was not even yet part of the system, and this dying congregation - stuck with one another.

That summer a local community ministry was sponsoring a Vacation Bible School led by a group from a large suburban church in Raleigh. The ministry effort was being directed toward several high risk, high crime neighborhoods near the church. The hope was to provide an opportunity for children to escape the environment in which they existed, to escape … at least for awhile. As the small church was empty during the week, they had allowed the VBS to be held in their building. The church members had shared with the new pastor that they deeply desired the laughter of children to once again be heard within their walls. So, the young pastor had a wonderful idea, a wonderful and crazy idea - "Why not bring some of the children to church!" She extended the invitation, and to her amazement, that Sunday several children did come.

Attendance at worship grew from 8 or 12 to almost 25. The pastor was excited. Certainly the congregation would be pleased! Certainly they would rejoice with her, rejoice for these broken children, rejoice for this unbelievable opportunity.

Yet, there was little rejoicing. They had said they wanted children in church. But these children were not like them. These children were brown and black and some of them even spoke a different language. These children were unkempt and unruly. These kids would not sit quietly and would not sing sweetly during the hymns. Instead, sometimes they would run about and shout and fight. Sometimes they would rustle paper and drop books and shoot spit-wads. These kids came without their parents and these kids would offer little to the dwindling coffers of the church. Without a doubt, these kids were not their kids. There was little rejoicing.

Yet somehow, somehow small miracles do occur and these children kept returning. Time after time, Sunday after Sunday, month after month, they returned. They seemed not to understand that some in the congregation did not want them there. They seemed not to understand that the life they brought was not the life that had been. They seemed not to understand that they were a most disruptive group. Yet somehow, they continued to come. By and by, they began to behave a bit better. By and by, some of them grew in faith and maturity. And in small miracles, sometimes even a mother would accompany one of the children or a father could be found sitting on the back row.

Today, life in that broken down little church can still be chaotic. Every so often a child will still act out or you can still hear the resounding sound of a hymnal hitting the hard tile floor. Some members have left and life in this place is still a struggle. But other members have stayed, stayed in this church where order may never be the rule of the day, stayed because the hope of the past has become the promise of the future, stayed because they are needed. And in small miracles, there have even been a few new members who have joined this small strange community, including a young mission intern who can even play the old battered piano. Life in this place is not perfect, if perfect means showing no imperfection. But that's ok, because that's what real life looks like, that's what real life brings.

This Sunday, sitting on a pew filled with squirming children, you will find a gray bearded, balding man who is neither good nor bad. He will be sharing his hymnal with a child who has no father. He will caress the head of a child that rarely receives the touch of love. He will sit there and watch these beautiful, dirty, rambunctious children. He will sit and thank God for a wonderful wife who gives so much of herself to these children. He will thank God for a young courageous pastor who opened herself to the promise of Christ. He will sit and thank God for a church that is willing to love children who no one else wanted.

And in moments of quiet reflection, in moments of silent prayer, he will contemplate this Resurrection Day. He will sit and remember a dusty street just aside of Clark Air Base. He … I … I will sit and remember a small brown-eyed girl in a tattered, dirty dress. I will sit and I will thank God that resurrections really do occur.

Shalom my friends,

Nail-Bender in NC

Thank you, my brother Joel, for lending me your eyes and for sharing some of your words.


01 Apr 1999
11:34:46

Anne and Brad,

Thanks for your comments, you've put meat on the bones of my sermon!

I keep thinking this is a holiday for the faithful (or believers -- some are not so 'faithful'), not seekers or unbelievers. The resurrection is not something one can explain from a 'rational' viewpoint. I remember my chemistry class in high school. I kept getting "F's" on my experiments which didn't make sense, because they were supposed to be EXPERIMENTS! The chemistry teacher believed there was only one right answer (I guess there was). Reminds me of those who don't believe (also the Pharisees/Saducees) -- to them there must be 'rational' proof, they way THEY understand. The resurrection is not rational. There is proof, lots of it, but it is not scientific/rational. Hope this makes sense 'cause this is the direction my sermon's going!

HW. Your situation reminds me of many of our situations. We will have people in church this Sunday that haven't been there since last Easter. Still they call themselves members. We will have people who enjoyed the Palm Sunday parade, but avoid the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday worship. We will have visitors who don't go to church any time other than when they visit the family here. Your situation is more typical than odd, just the timing is different.

From "Lillies, Rabbits & Painted Eggs, The Story of the Easter Symbols," Edna Barth, Seabury Press, New York, 1970:

"The story of hot cross buns goes so far back that no one is sure where it begins. One belief goes like this: Every year the ancient Anglo-Saxons baked small wheat cakes in honor of their goddess of springtime, Eostre. Even after they became Christians, they continued this old custom. The church looked for a way to make them give up the pagan goddess. It decreed that, in place of the cakes honoring Eostre, there would be others sacred to the Christian festival held at the same time of year.

If this was the beginning of hot cross buns, they are really far older than Christianity itself. As for the cross on top, this was a pagan symbol long before the birth of Jesus Christ. The same mark appeared on cakes sacred to Diana, the Roman goddess of the moon and of hunting.

A monk in England baked hot cross buns and gave them to the poor at the Easter season six hundred years ago, according to one account. The monk may have been baking the first hot cross buns or he may have been carrying on a custom that had started earlier. We cannot be sure. . . .

All sorts of ideas grew up about the magic powers of hot cross buns. If you ate them on Good Friday, people said, your home would be safe from fire all year. Some of the buns they put back into the oven to harden and keep. They would grate the hardened buns to take as medicine, use them as charms against lightning, and hang them from the ceiling to bring good luck to the house. Farmers believed a dried hot cross bun would keep rats out of their cornfields. Sailors took them to sea to keep the ship from being wrecked."

Hope this helps.

I also can't help wondering if some of OUR Easter traditions of ham, hot cross buns (which use yeast) are reactions against Jewish dietary restrictions. They prove that we are removed from anything having to do with 'the Jews.' This thought came to me the other day when my daughter's friend, who is Jewish, asked why we were having Seder at our church. . .

RevJan


01 Apr 1999
11:46:53

There are ordinary fears; fear of going hungry, of failing, of being unloved, unemployed, of dying alone. These are ordinary fears, ones that keep your chin up positive thinking can help, to some extent, to overcome. But there are extraordinary fears too. Fears of finding out that everything you've based your life on is a lie, or that this life, this one life is all you get. Or that it's not all you get and one day you will meet Jesus. You will meet him in power and glory, and you may quake in your boots over the prospect. This is an extraordinary fear and its different from the daily fears we dodge and battle. When the women hear of Jesus' resurrection they faced the single extraordinary fear of their lives, and they found in him, perfect love. Perfect love casts out all fear, and brings great joy. So on their way to Galilee to see him, they SAW him and their fear was confirmed. He is the Mighty God, the Creator of the Universe, the First and Last. Our God is an awesome God. This extraordinary fear shaped their lives forever...will it shape yours? Pam/Tpa


01 Apr 1999
18:30:38

Thanks for the butterfly comments. I appreciate all your responses and have enjoyed reading them in prepartion for this glorious celebration. Jennifer in Mississauga


02 Apr 1999
20:39:24

I know this is late and probably isn't needed by anyone, but I like the title I came up with and wanted to share it.

It is "Resurrection = Emmanuel."

Happy and joyful Easter to everyone!

Brandon in CA


03 Apr 1999
06:19:19

thanks HW -


03 Apr 1999
06:22:21

Sorry about the last - but for the last two, three weeks everytime i type anything in and try to send it i get disconnected and it never goes through. hW, titled mty sermon"Looking for Someone?" based on your note. who are these people looking for when they come to Church? hopefully a God of power. I'm expecting the lasrgest crowd our congregation has had in our current location (10 years) or close to it.

thanks to all, and many Easter blessings. - rachel


03 Apr 1999
07:44:14

Matthew likes earthquakes. He uses the greek word "Seismos" several times, when the curtain is torn in two, when the disciples are caught in a storm on the boat, and at the resurrection. But not only that, the tomb's guards quake (same root word). One could think of the resurrection as "earth-shattering", or one could talk about the resurrection as toppling the old order. Dave in SK


03 Apr 1999
08:48:26

Nailbender;

Your stories hurt me inside - where Christ hurt. Thank you. God Bless;

Rev. Rick.


03 Apr 1999
11:09:42

To Dave in SK:

Matthew does in fact use "seismos" often, and even more often than you listed. Did you notice that Seismos was the reaction of the people of the people of Jerusalem last week during his so-called "Triumphal Entry"? My NRSV translates it "in turmoil," but it's actually much more traumatic than that.

Stan in Massachusetts


03 Apr 1999
12:20:49

This is my first time exploring this area. Thank you all for making my Easter experience even more special. Christ does meet us on our way...sometimes on the road..sometimes on the superhighway. I'll see you all again!! Rev. David on the Coast of Maine


03 Apr 1999
16:08:45

Ok--here's a gift for you really last minute people like me. I do gravestone rubbings for a hobby ( as a pastor I spend lots of time in cemeteries--you all know that.) Here in New England there are really old cemeteries all around. I live in Maine, and in southern Maine there are lots of cemeteries with stones going back to the early-mid 1700's. One of my favorites is a stone I almost tripped over in an old cemetery in York, Maine--because it was so small, yet it's proclamation stood out among all the rest. There is a small and rather crude winged skull at the top of the stone. Directly underneath is the inscription:

RESURRECTION To Immortality, in spotless Beauty, with all other Bodily Perfection's, after the fashion of Christ's Glorious Body, is expected for the sub-adjacent Dust of Lucy Moodey, who was born, & died, July the 6, 1705. Thus Birth, Spousals to Christ, Death, Coronation All in One Day, may have their Celebration.

Fantastic! What a proclamation! Thanks to the person who suggested taking a walk through cemeteries. I do it a lot and always go away having learned something. I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier. NEOW in Maine


03 Apr 1999
16:10:24

Re: "fear and great joy".

Note that both of these emotions are present AFTER they have heard the news. They did not leave their fear at the tomb. They took it with them, even as they were being overcome by joy, and overtaken by the risen Jesus on the road.

Rick in Canada, eh?