Epiphany of the Lord - B

Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-18
In many European countries, early on Easter Monday, the girls come out of their homes wearing traditional red, black and white folkloric dress. The young men walk down the streets, also in traditional dress of high black boots, black hats, white shirts and cream-colored trousers. The men follow the girls playing instruments and the older women of the village have prepared a cornucopia of food.

Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14
The Pittsburgh Pirates had their last great baseball season in 1979. The Pirates had 98 wins and 64 losses that year and captured the National League East Division title by two games over the Montreal Expos. The Pirates then beat the Cincinnati Reds to win their ninth National League title, and they defeated the Baltimore Orioles to win their fifth World Series title.

From time to time, I’ll hear someone ask a speculative question that begins, “If a space alien showed up on earth, what would he think about...” The idea is to try to imagine what an outsider sees. If we could find someone without any familiarity or preconceived notions, what would he or she see and think.

In the blackness, in the bleakness, we need to sense God’s presence. We need to know that God is there, even if, like Job, we do not understand what is happening around us and inside of us. “The restless millions wait for the Light,” says George Bernanos, “Whose dawning maketh all things new.”

This is the dilemma of Israel in Egypt. This is the struggle of life in Corinth. This is the washing of waves surrounding Jesus and his disciples “on the night in which he was betrayed.”

It can not only be hard, but in some cases not possible to say much at all on Easter morning, what with Easter Breakfast, perhaps a cantata, a children’s choir, and an Easter egg hunt swallowing up any space you might have for preaching. But this is the central message of our faith. Jesus is Risen. This changes everything.

Now do not despair. You can preach Easter every Sunday. For the earliest Christians every Sunday was Easter! Even so, if you’re feeling squeezed you can still take one of these passages and make an important point.

Contents
"Reflections of Grief" by Keith Hewitt
"Bearing Our Infirmities" by David O. Bales
"Abandoned?" by David O. Bales


Reflections of Grief
by Keith Hewitt
John 18:1--19:42

Contents
"Love Conquers All" by Keith Wagner
"Being together gives us Hope" by Keith Wagner



Love Conquers All
by Keith Wagner
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

For me, the heart of the psalmist’s message is his willingness to be a faithful servant, making commitments to God through sacrifice and love. It takes courage to live sacrificially, none the less our faith is strengthened and we become closer to God with our dedication and loyalty.

This Doesn’t Make Sense
by C. David McKirachan
Acts 10:34-43

“I have seen the Lord.” (v. 18)

Happy Easter morning boys and girls,

Today I have the best news ever to share with you. Are you ready to hear it? (children respond) First, notice I have a container (box or can) with a lid on it. Inside we will find ____________.  (for example: oreo cookies, legos etc.)

So let's see what is inside. (open lid) What do we see? Nothing. What? Aren't there supposed to be ___________ inside?? (children respond)

“When Jesus had received the wine, he said,'it is finished,' then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.'”

Good Friday morning (evening) children,

Today I am feeling very quiet. You know why? It is a holy day, a somber day.

How are you feeling? (children respond) We call it Good Friday. That's a strange name for a sad day isn't it? Perhaps today, the day we remember our Lord Jesus died, we might call Bad Friday or Dark Friday or Sad Friday. But no, it's Good Friday.

“So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.” (v. 14)

Good morning beautiful children,

We Christians are often reckoned to be a sad bunch, at least in the opinion of non-Christian western society. And sometimes, I think they're right. We must seem a bit pathetic to normal red-blooded human beings as we go to church each Sunday, singing hymns and indulging in all kinds of odd rituals, when we could be cleaning the car or shopping or playing sport or otherwise enjoying ourselves.

Theme For The Day
Our culture still "seeks the living among the dead" as it pursues security, comfort, and pleasure.

First Lesson
Acts 10:34-43
Peter's Easter Testimony

So much happening in so little time! We are left gasping for breath. We stagger under the weight of the mighty arm of historical occurrence. You and I praise God because we know the rest of the story. Those present did not know how things would turn out. They must have been like awestruck children nearing exasperation.

We have a table before us. It is a familiar table; we have gathered around it together countless times before. It features the cherished elements of bread and wine; and taken together, those elements on this table form a sacrament.

Across the many traditions within the Christian church, we call this sacrament by different names. The Roman Catholics refer to the Mass, while the Eastern Orthodox church uses the Divine Liturgy. A number of Protestant denominations call it the Eucharist, others holy communion, and still others the Lord's Supper.