Sunday, April 27, 2014, Easter 2 (full size gallery)
A "two service" Sunday at the end of the month. Considering it was "low Sunday", we had a good turnout – 10 at 9am and 40 at 11am.
The weather was partly cloudy earlier in the day at 9am but by 11am there was full sunlight. The sycamore leaves came out this week along with new flowers (Iris). All around is that light green color that is inherent in new growth. Bill Wick’s yard has a viburnum which he purchased 17 years ago and is in full bloom. Unfortunately, our osprey were not present despite the nest being larger than last week.
Inside the church the lilies were shining against the window light and against the outside dogwood. They were more glorious than on Easter.
Various birthdays were celebrated – Zeke (from April 23), Barbara, and Jaden. who were here
Catherine announced a change in schedule – Morning prayer on May 4 due to the Parish retreat at Shrine Mont (Catherine will be there with 12). Also, Coffee hour will not be held. Instead Sally O’Brien will be here on May 18 to have lunch and then discuss future possibilities for St. Peter’s. The talk will be from 12:45pm to 1:45pm after lunch. It should be over by 2pm.
Horne’s is also providing 10% back to Catherine’s discretionary fund again.
At 11am, Michael, just baptized in March, participated in his first service as acolyte. The congregation have him a great applause. All this is why Godly Play is some important.
Early on Easter Day, Mary Magdalene has discovered that Jesus’ body is missing but as she told disciples: “I have seen the Lord” Later the same day, Jesus joins the disciples, gathered behind locked doors. He shows them that he is the one who was crucified (v. 20). Jesus confers on “the disciples” (not including Thomas, but perhaps a group larger than the ten) “peace” (vv. 19, 21) and “the Holy Spirit” (v. 22)
This Acts passage is part of Peter’s sermon at Pentecost; it is his eye witness testimony to the fact of the resurrection (v. 32). It was a powerful, Spirit filled sermon winning three thousand new converts! It is centered on Scripture (Peter quotes from Psalm 16), and on the person of Jesus Christ, and on the fact of the resurrection!
Peter proclaims the power of God revealed in the resurrection of Jesus. Death in all its forms, physical, emotional, existential, and communal, cannot defeat Christ or us. Divine power is life-giving power.
I Peter proclaims new birth, new life, new hope, and personal and communal rejoicing as a result of our faith in God’s ever-living love and fidelity. We can rejoice in our personal and communal trials, knowing God has a glorious future planned for us. This future comes moment by moment, and over the long-haul as companions in God’s ever-faithful, resurrection love.
On Easter night, the disciples experience another kind of resurrection. He breathes on his disciples, giving them a form of spiritual resuscitation, enlivening them by his power and energizing them for mission. Thomas isn’t there but wants evidence this is the risen Lord.
A week later, the community gathers again. Thomas, who missed the resurrection, but stays with the disciples, is open to what may come. He is cautious which is understandable. Thomas is expected to believe without having seen, but he demands: show me the evidence! He isn’t ready to just go along with the crowed. Thomas puts his finger on Jesus side and believes. The response to Thomas is the following barb “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."”