Reverend Jimmy Moore, preaching
Matthew 20:1-10
A Primer on Finding Easter
“We need a little Easter, right this very minute.” Of course, the words of the actual song say “Christmas”, but I think you’ll acknowledge that we’re facing an Easter unlike any we in the Christian community have ever known. On a typical Sunday morning, we glory in the sanctuary adorned with stunning flowers, with many of our fellow worshippers dressed to the nines, the joyful singing of “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”, and the profound Easter affirmation, “Christos Anesti! Christ is risen!” And to know we won’t be able to experience that in with the full congregations that we have come to expect makes us more than a little sad.
But this year, this is the Easter we are given. It is an Easter in which most of us are largely confined to home, an act of service that we pray will slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Some among us are undergoing considerable risk to provide medical care and emergency and essential services to our community. And we are cut off from many we hold dear, those whose presence is really part of the relational air that we breathe. Maybe now, more than ever before, for all of the difference of this year, we need a little Easter, right this very minute.
So Sunday, on the Livestream that you will find by clicking on the “Watch the Livestream” button on the St. Mark’s website, you will enter into Easter Worship. Brianna Murray will sing a solo and some of our singers will help us sing Easter Hymns. The sermon, arising from Matthew 28:1-10, is titled “A Primer on Finding Easter”. And we will celebrate virtual communion together. (Our Bishop has granted permission for us to celebrate communion virtually. At your home, you are welcome to use bread and juice, or whatever you have at home, as we celebrate the sacrament together.)
We look forward to celebrating the Resurrection of Christ with you this Sunday!