‘He lives within my heart’

Dear Minooka UMC Found Family,

Happy Easter! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!

Wait, wasn’t Easter last week? It is true that Easter began last week, but Easter is a season, not just a day. The season of Easter lasts 50 days, until Pentecost.

Easter is season because it is supposed to be the beginning of a whole new way of being in the world.

However, the story of Jesus’ resurrection might be so familiar that it feels as if it has lost its power for us. Perhaps we need to be reminded why the story of Jesus’ resurrection matters. The story of Jesus’ resurrection matters because it reveals God’s character and shows us who we are called to be. The story of Jesus’ resurrection matters because it invites our participation. (I can’t quite place who said that, but…they seem wise 😉

As my favorite Easter hymn goes, “You ask me how I know [Jesus] lives? He lives within my heart!” The story of Jesus’ resurrection invites our participation because without that—without our participation—the story truly loses all power.

Our sermon series, Stories That Matter, that began last week continues this week with Resurrection Reactions.

As you read through the rest of this week’s newsletter, you’ll find detailed information on one of our collective reactions to resurrection—which is to say, one way we participate in resurrection: our Offering of Letters.

Our Easter Offering is another way to participate in resurrection. The first 10% (i.e. a tithe) of that offering goes to Minooka School District 201 to reduce lunch debt incurred by families experiencing financial hardship. The reminder goes to the General Fund that makes all our ministry and mission possible. Thank you to all who have already given generously to this Easter Offering.

As for our worship experience this Sunday, April 12, we’re looking at not just one but two gospel readings this week. First from Matthew and then from John. Fun, right?!

Ok, yes, discerning readers will notice that the gospels according to Matthew and John are decidedly not Genesis 1. It’s true; in my Easter sermon I said we’d start a deep dive into Genesis this week. And we will explore Genesis…just not this week. Or next week. Upon further review, it seems to me best to first spend some time with the stories the gospels offer us about what Jesus and his disciples did and said after the resurrection.

We are exploring two stories so famous they known by capital ’T’ Titles: The Great Commission and Doubting Thomas. What might these ancient stories teach us about how to follow God in the Way of Jesus here in our time and place?

Whether in person or online, all are invited to our welcoming and affirming congregation.

Plotting Goodness, 

Pastor Dave