The Easter Story

 

How do you tell the Easter Story

In a way that is thought-provoking and engaging

To people who have either

Heard the story their whole lives or

Come to church for the first time?

 

How do you tell the Easter Story

In a way that is new and exciting

To people who have either

Stayed true to the story their whole lives or

Wandered away from its impact due to questions and doubts?

 

How do you tell the Easter Story

In a way that is meaningful and real

To people who have either

Known you your entire life or

Seen you for the very first time?

 

These were the questions I was asking myself

As I prepared to preach the Easter Story for the very first time.

My dad was able to go to church yesterday,

To welcome the congregation and to pray,

But he didn’t have the stamina to preach,

So Little Rev. delivered the message instead…

And I was very nervous.

 

Easter is highest of Holy Days in the Christian Tradition.

It’s the pinnacle of our faith and

The very promise of hope, redemption, resurrection, and life.

Easter is one of two Sundays per year that many people come to church.

Easter is a time of joy and celebration, and

Easter is a time of family togetherness and remembering.

 

So how does one prepare an Easter message?

One only needs to

Tell the story:

 

Jesus is not dead.

Christ is not in the tomb.

Jesus Christ is not trapped behind the large, heavy, immovable burden of stone.

And because of this,

Because of the power of resurrection,

Neither are you stuck behind the stone of hopelessness and death.

 

The stone is rolled away!

Christ is risen!
A new beginning is here!

 

Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift.

 

Amen.