April 2026 Newsletter

Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

I often marvel at some of the subtleties of the Easter stories.  Here are some of the things that I ponder.

• an earthquake (Matthew)
  • from deep in the earth, reflecting Jesus’ work as he descended into death and hell, the rose victorious after conquering that empire
  • Jesus bursting from the tomb and the stone rolling away
• when the women arrive, the stone is already rolled away
  • did Jesus do that
  • did the angels do that
  • the stone was not rolled away so Jesus could get out, he had already risen and the stone was removed so that we could see in
• angels - always bearing God’s message
  • words of comfort - do not fear
  • words of encouragement - come and see
  • words of promise - go and tell
• Jesus’ appearances
  • the women are the first to receive the message that Jesus is risen
  • Mary Magdalene, the first evangelist, Jesus tells her to go tell the disciples
  • the disciples who didn’t believe until he saw Jesus in the flesh
  • the disciples on the road to Emmaus who didn’t realize that they had been joined by Jesus until he broke bread just as he did at the Last Supper
  • the disciple’s disbelief until they saw Jesus’ scars and yet didn’t believe 100% until he ate with them

The resurrection stories that mostly catch my attention are the ones about food.  In several cases, people did not recognize Jesus until he ate with them.  If we remember the Maundy Thursday story of the Last Supper with Jesus, we see that this was an intentional move on Jesus' part.  We are to remember Jesus when we gather at worship to eat and drink.  We are to remember his body broken and his blood shed as he died on the cross.  We are to remember that his death and resurrection was for all of us.  And we are to remember that Jesus is present with us.

There are many reasons why people have stopped attending worship.  I would like to invite you to return for one reason - to encounter the risen Jesus.  This is why we have communion every Sunday that I lead worship - so you can encounter the risen Jesus and remember that all he has done has been ‘for you.’

Peace in Christ

Pr Eunice Woodberry