Dear friends,
It has arrived: the holiest time of the year, the days when we commemorate Jesus’
saving actions that give our lives their ultimate hope and meaning. We are poised once again to walk through the
searing sorrow of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to the all-encompassing joy
of Easter, when we will once again proclaim, “Alleluia! Christ is risen!"
How shall we mark these sacred days? By
walking through them together, by
gathering with one another for prayer and song and reflection, by recalling
once again the boundless depth of God’s love for us. No matter what else is happening in our lives
– whatever joys and sorrows, tragedies and triumphs – all of it is eclipsed,
reclaimed, and given new meaning in light of the Resurrection. I am reminded of a line in the Eucharistic
prayer we use at funerals: For to your
faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not ended. That’s what we learn through Jesus’ death
and resurrection: through him life is changed, not ended – even when we die;
even when things we’d hoped for die.
We are Easter people, resurrection people.
We need to be together in this holiest of seasons to remind ourselves of
who we are (and Whose we are). Why? Ultimately, so that we may go back out into
our troubled, suffering world and be spreaders of light, catalysts of hope,
proclaimers of resurrection.
I hope that our Palm Sunday and Holy Week services have helped you to immerse yourself
anew in the miraculous story of death leading to life, sorrow giving way to
joy. I look forward to celebrating
Resurrection with you on Easter Day.
As is customary here at St. Andrew’s, an Easter offering envelope is enclosed for
your use. Please bring it with you on
Easter Day along with your Mite Box offering for Episcopal Relief &
Development.
May
God bless you abundantly in this holy season.
And may you and your family join us here at St. Andrew’s so that
together we may walk in faith and hope through these holiest of days.
Faithfully,
Anne+
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