It is a New Day

April 12, 2020 Matthew 28:1-10 It is a New Day! Easter Sunday sunrise Year A 7am Sunrise Service Greeting – prerecorded Proclamation The light which the world tried to extinguish cannot be put out. Today we light the candles again, proclaiming the transforming power of God. As the light returns. We give thanks that God’s transforming love has been, is now, and will ever be at work within us. Today we celebrate new life, new joy, new possibilities. Christ is alive and living among us! As we light the candles, we acknowledge that there is still pain and suffering in the world. But we placed our trust in God and the way shown by Jesus Christ. In the midst of darkness. There is light. In the pain of death, there is life. In the face of what appears to us to be overwhelming odds, God is at work in us and in the world. Working for justice and peace, compassion and love, and life abundant. Christ is risen, Christ is risen in us, for where ever we gather in his name, he is there. Light the candles Alleluia Christ is risen, Christ is risen indeed! (thank you Bettylou Linke Gather – it is easier in the chapel, and closer to the router, so less of a chance of losing the signal. The sun has risen, and the day has just begun. But great time to celebrate this great day. Start out the morning by sharing words of Matthew 28:1-10 Using the Message translation Matthew 28:1-10 The Message (MSG) Risen from the Dead 28 1-4 After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn’t move. 5-6 The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed. 7 “Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ That’s the message.” 8-10 The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. “Good morning!” he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, “You’re holding on to me for dear life! Don’t be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I’ll meet them there.” The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson Prayer Let us pray: For Christians throughout the world who celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this Easter morning, that we may know that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, we pray to the Lord: Lord, hear our prayer. For leaders of the nations and cities of the world, that they may be wise in their administration of government during this pandemic, and selflessly serve the common good, we pray to the Lord: Lord, hear our prayer. For all bishops, pastors, and leaders of our congregations, that they may faithfully tend the family of God during this season of social distancing, we pray to the Lord: Lord, hear our prayer. For doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers who tend the sick and dying, that they fulfill their vocation without undue fear of personal danger, we pray to the Lord: Lord, hear our prayer. For all who are sick and those alone in quarantine, that they may find comfort and care in their time of need, we pray to the Lord, Lord, hear our prayer. For the earth you have given to our care, and for all creatures who share it with us, that you may be glorified in all your works, we pray to the Lord, Lord, hear our prayer. For other concerns, [expressed here], we pray to the Lord: Lord, hear our prayer. Loving God, we your children never pray alone, but only with all your saints in all the world. Therefore, we pray as Jesus taught us: Our Father… [Here pray the Lord’s Prayer] Stewardship moment Sunrise service is a time between darkness and daylight. Time between troubles and hope, time between life and death. Theme of Easter is choosing daylight, hope and life in the midst of all that is going on. On this Easter, choose to follow God is giving of our heart. Take a collection physically – but want to remind everyone of the importance of giving to the mission of the church. Time to give – to reach out to others. Church is not closed, and Easter is not cancelled. Send in your offerings – your commitment to God. Ways to give – online, sign up for automatic giving, send it in, or drop it off. Giving to God – the world needs God more than ever. 'Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began, Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land. People were sick, hospitals full, Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school. As winter gave way to the promise of spring, The virus raged on, touching peasant and king. People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen. They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned. April approached and churches were closed. “There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed. “There won’t be church services, and egg hunts are out. No reason for new dresses when we can’t go about.” Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest. The world was focused on masks and on tests. “Easter can’t happen this year,” they proclaimed. “Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.” Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went. The virus pressed on; it just would not relent. The world woke Sunday and nothing had changed. The virus still menaced, the people, estranged. “Pooh pooh to the saints,” the world was grumbling. “They’re finding out now that no Easter is coming. “They’re just waking up! I know just what they’ll do! Their mouths will hang open a minute or two, And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo. “That noise,” said the world, “would be something to hear.” So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear. And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies. It started down low, then it started to rise. But the sound wasn’t depressed. Why, this sound was triumphant! It couldn’t be so! But it grew with abundance! The world stared around, popping its eyes. Then it shook! What it saw was a shocking surprise! Each saint in each nation, the tall and the small, Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all! It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming! It came! Somehow or other, it came just the same! And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine Stood puzzling and puzzling. “Just how can it be?” “It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies, It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.” Then the world thought of something it hadn’t before. “Maybe Easter,” it thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.” And what happened then? Well....the story’s not done. What will YOU do? Will you share with that one Or two or more people needing hope in this night? Will you share of the source of your life in this fight? The churches are empty - but so is the tomb, And Jesus is Victor over death, doom, and gloom. So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer, As the virus still rages all around, everywhere. May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people. May the world see the Church is not a building or steeple. May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, May the world find Joy in a time of dejection. May 2020 be known as the year of survival, But not only that - Let it start a revival. Thank you to Kristi Bothur for those words that describe our time. The good news that Easter is not in a building, not in community, both important. Easter is in the heart of the Easter people. We spread Easter by giving, but more importantly by living. Benediction This is an Easter like no other, prayers we won’t have to worry about this again next year. Or anytime soon, but encourage you to enjoy the day. Remember social distancing, keep in touch with family and loved ones in responsible ways, whatever you do, find joy in the day. There will be another video – Death is only the beginning. Listen to Christ the Lord is Risen – Go in Peace…….