|
 Dear
Saints:
As
I write this article, we at St. Matthew have just celebrated the
greatest of all Christian festivals - Easter. More appropriately
entitled The Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord, Easter Sunday
isn't a day unto itself, but the beginning of something new.
The
season of Easter lasts seven weeks until Pentecost, at which time we
will celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church (a
doctrine that hasn't been emphasized strongly enough in the Lutheran
tradition). But that's another topic for another day.
For
now, Lent has passed and Easter has come. For now, we bask in the
light of Christ's resurrection. We relish in the new birth offered in
the cross event - our new birth extended to us by grace through faith
in the risen Son. Rejoicing in this new beginning, we the church,
leave the old behind us and press on into the new life we have in Jesus.
We
have this opportunity as well at St. Matthew. The past few years
have been a difficult, yet necessary, Lenten journey for our
congregation (for in the divine scheme, nothing happens by chance!).
But now, because of the mercy we have received through our great God
and Savior, Jesus Christ - we have been reborn.
In
a very particular way for us here at St. Matthew, Easter has come.
Certainly, through our Lord's death and resurrection we have found
forgiveness for the wrongs we have done. In him the old has gone, the
new is come.
Therefore,
this Easter season, let us also leave the old behind. Let us forgive
those who have wronged us and press on into the new life Christ
provides for our congregation.
Christ
is risen!
Pastor
Larry |
