By Erin Barger
When the resurrected Jesus meets the Marys after they found the tomb empty, he tells us them to “rejoice.” It isn’t just a command. It’s a type of greeting — a cheerful, “Hello!”
The King James Bible has a unique interpretation of Matthew 28:9, in which Jesus says, “All hail” to the Marys. The word “hail” has a unique meaning … Read the rest
Our society is fixated on the body.
Beauty and youth are treasured so much to the point that even photos of young, beautiful women are airbrushed and photoshopped in magazines to remove even the slightest blemish. Companies advertise products like wrinkle creams and instant diet pills that will help us fit the societal image of beauty. Why are we so … Read the rest
Christianity is no fun if there’s no resurrection. The resurrection of the body of Jesus Christ is at the root of God’s authority over every other authority.
Powerful people — from kings to emperors, to dictators to Presidents — have consistently used death as a tool of power. It’s the final enforcement for rulers — if you disagree with them
Some Christians try to explain the resurrection, as if it’s some sort of math problem. Others look at it as a representation of a feeling that Christ is with us — a feeling of not being alone.
However, it’s impossible for us to explain the Godly feat of the resurrection, and it’s not enough to think of the resurrection as … Read the rest
“Peace be with you.”
He is risen!
But what does Jesus’ resurrection truly mean to us? Are we really ready to accept the risen Jesus? Or are we too comfortable with our earthly life that we prefer to live our lives as if Jesus is dead?
If we are truly ready to accept the risen Jesus, and the eternal life offered to us, that … Read the rest
“The Inconvenient Stranger”
Sermon by Shannon Mayfield
John 21: 1-17
April 10, 2016 • 3rd Sunday of Easter
The Word in Song: “Alleluia”
Sermon
“Letting Go”
Sermon by The Rev. Lisa Caine
John 20:1-18
March 27, 2016 • Easter Sunday
Audio for this sermon is unavailable.
John begins the Easter story with the words “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark . . .” These words should not come as a surprise to those of us who have, … Read the rest
“It’s Only the Beginning”
Sermon by The Rev. Lisa Caine
April 5, 2015 • Easter Sunday
Mark 16:1-8
Sermon
Choir Music:
Opening
Anthem
Offertory
Mark’s account of Easter morning is the earliest on record. The women, who had stood by the cross on Friday, go to Jesus’ burial site early on Sunday morning. They are there to do what women … Read the rest