Excerpts From: The Messenger |
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He is not here; for He has Risen
Matthew 28:6
Only a week had passed since that triumphant Palm Sunday entrance into Jerusalem—but what a difference in the little procession that set out now! No cheering crowds, no waving branches. Just a few silent women setting out in the early dawn to perform the last rites at the tomb. The day that changed human history was not a public occasion but a private one. The day when everlasting life broke into earthly time began not with celebration but with tears. This is still the way Easter breaks into our lives—when we least expect it, when all seems lost. That’s when the stone rolls away and the angel speaks and “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54)
If it seems too good to be true, this joy that invades our hearts, it seemed so on the first Easter morning too. Mary Magdalene could not believe what her eyes were telling her; she took Jesus to be a gardener at work early among the graves. Preoccupied with her loss, she barely glanced at the figure standing before her on the path. She had a mournful task to fulfill and—“Mary.” There in the first light of dawn, Mary stood still. That voice…that tone of loving involvement. This was the moment, the moment when Jesus called her by name, that Easter broke like the sunrise into her heart. It is how we recognize Him still. The risen Jesus calls us so personally, comes into our lives to individually, that with Mary Magdalene, we cry out in glad recognition.
And then we do what the women did on that first Easter Sunday. Dropping their spices and ointments, the burdens of their sad errand, they rushed to tell the others. They set the pattern, these women who were first at the empty tomb, the two-fold pattern of the Christian faith newborn that Easter morning. They met the living Jesus. And they brought the good news to those who grieved.
Because Jesus is alive, Easter is never simply a story. Easter is a testimony of faith offering continual guidance and courage to deal with Monday morning decisions we all face in life. Most of all… Easter is the promise of living hope that will enable us to cope with disappointment and tragedy.
Christ is Risen, He is risen indeed. It’s worth celebrating the resurrection of Christ on Sunday morning. Remember that the tomb, after all, is empty. That’s always our role, when it’s Easter in our lives; to tell someone else that He is Risen. Christ is alive in us! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Amen.
Your friend and pastor,
Pastor Samuel King-Kabu
Membership: At our recent Congregational Meeting, some were confused when I handed out blue "voting cards" only to those attending who were listed as "Members" in the pastor's section of the Annual Reports. What does this mean, being a "member"? A further look at the pastor's report shows a list of "Active Non-Members", some of whom attend quite regularly. As God's Church, we make no distinction between members and non-members. All Christians are fellow members of the body of Christ and all are welcome to worship with us. Even non-Christians are welcome to attend our services and to worship as they feel comfortable. Beyond worship, all can participate in our events, volunteer their time, help us make decisions and otherwise enjoy all the benefits of being as much a part of our Church community, as they wish.
Quite a number of those who willingly volunteer at our bazaar and at other events are not members, yet they feel an attachment to our community. So why draw the line? Well, besides being a church, we are also a corporation which exists in the secular world surrounding us. This corporation has members, and those members vote on issues and select officers, who themselves must also be members. Members are those who are baptized into the congregation, transfer in from another congregation or who choose to affirm their faith in the Trinity and the Creed and other elements of the general Lutheran or Anglican statement of faith. Anyone can approach the pastor to ask to become a member. Being a non-member is like being a permanent resident of Canada, who has nearly all the privileges of being a Canadian. Many decide they wish to go on and become a citizen. Some have personal reasons not to become a citizen, such as stronger ties elsewhere. But only citizens can vote or hold office in this country. Some choose not to join St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church because they also attend other churches, where they are members. Some are not ready to become "Lutheran" or "Anglican", but feel comfortable attending our services and being part of the community. There are as many reasons why people have not yet joined as there are reasons why people have joined. It is each person's personal choice.
Roger Kenner, Council President
Web Page prepared by:
Roger Kenner & Jette Blair.
Content-New Topics Last Updated: 2015/06/25
St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal