The service for Holy Week were a tremendous joy! Even with the limitations of this season our worship together was as it should be, guiding us to the table with Jesus, to the tragic goodness of his cross, and onto the incredible gift of his empty tomb. Easter morning was especially rich as we sang together with full hearts and voices! It was fun to see so many of you in person all together.

In the sermon on Sunday I quoted from a book entitled Can I Believe? by theologian John Stackhouse. The book has the intriguing subtitle “Christianity for the Hesitant.” Through it Stackhouse offers a case for the persuasive power of the Christian faith. As the subtitle suggests the book is specifically written for those of us who are hesitant in the context of “cross-pressures” and doubts. 

Stackhouse is a gifted writer and an accessible communicator. It is an easy, compelling read. The church ordered four copies for anyone interested on Resurrection Sunday but they didn’t arrive until afterward. If you’re interested in getting a copy (free!) for yourself or for someone else who might benefit from it send me an email. 

The season of Eastertide continues until Pentecost on May 23rd. There are a full fifty days to press into joy and celebrate the fact of Jesus’ victory over death. See below for a number of ways to participate. I’m excited for the various courses and our “feasts.” Beginning this Sunday we’ll also be starting a new sermon series on the book of Romans.

In many ways the Easter season involves marking God’s abundance and generous provision for us. Keeping with this, over the next couple of weeks we’ll also be communicating about giving pledges for the rest of 2021. As the Parish Council is looking at the rest of this year and the shifting realities of the pandemic having the clarity these provide regarding giving will be helpful. We’ll be communicating about this over the next couple of weeks and collecting these by April 26th. If you’re a regular part of our community can you please be praying about how you might participate in this aspect of our worship and common life? If you’d like to you can fill out the 2021 pledge card here before the 26th.

Lastly, check out this album as a soundtrack for the Easter weeks. It's been on repeat in our house.

Peter+ 

Ps. Be sure to sign up for worship here. Following this past Sunday we've increased our capacity for both morning services in person and we'll be offering a version of The Garden for children over the age of 4 at a combined Sprouts/Roots. The PEC may even have drywall by Sunday, an Eastertide miracle!