We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?
Friends, it's perhaps the oddest of Easters: the church buildings are empty.
Yes, the church buildings are empty, but so is the tomb:
The Lord Is Risen!
The Lord Is Risen Indeed!
How to celebrate in such days as these? Well, first, let's all sing Christ the Lord Is Risen Today with the GPUMC congregation. Charles Wesley knew what he was doing when he wrote that hymn. One of the blessings of being a Methodist is the heritage of the Bible and the Hymnal - if you have those two books, you have the Methodist church.
Next up, here's a poem I wrote about seeing Mary in the garden that first Easter morning:
In the Garden, in the World
(audio version)
Read: John 20:1-18
Walking slowly in the dawning
burdened with grief
burdened with oil and spices
burdened with a task – an act of Love
To the tomb they come wondering
how could He be dead?
how can we bear it?
how can we roll away that stone?
Shocked to stillness, to standing
the guards are gone
the tomb is opened
the angel tells them that He is risen
Running to the disciples, then with two returning
the men look in
see He is not there
return pondering, confused
Left behind in the Garden, wondering
where can I find Him?
where have they taken Him?
where have you taken Him?
Asking the Gardener, weeping
hears Him call her name
sees Him welcome her
worships Him, falling at His feet
Listening to His Word, worshiping
“don’t fear, trust Me
“don’t hold Me, proclaim Me,
“tell them to come to Me.”
I see the scene unfold, marveling
The Tomb is empty!
The Tomb is empty!
The Tomb is empty! Hallelujah!
Mary met Him in the Garden
where will I meet Him? Here?
Mary worshiped Him as soon as she knew Him
when will I worship Him? Now?
Mary knew Him as her Lord, her all
what is He to me? Savior?
Mary ran to tell her friends to meet Him
whom will I tell? Anyone? Everyone?
Mary spent her life serving Him who saved her
why don’t I? how can I not?
- Charlie van Becelaere, © 2020
And finally, our task is to share the Good News. Live your life so that everyone you meet will wonder and want what you have (you will meet people again eventually) - and make sure that what you have is really Who you have. Amen.
Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
In times like these, it's more important than ever to come together. Grand Teuton Press is proud to join the #StayHome Movement uniting our entire industry to encourage everyone to stay home if you can to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Together we can save lives. #AloneTogether
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?
Friends, it's perhaps the oddest of Easters: the church buildings are empty.
Yes, the church buildings are empty, but so is the tomb:
The Lord Is Risen!
The Lord Is Risen Indeed!
How to celebrate in such days as these? Well, first, let's all sing Christ the Lord Is Risen Today with the GPUMC congregation. Charles Wesley knew what he was doing when he wrote that hymn. One of the blessings of being a Methodist is the heritage of the Bible and the Hymnal - if you have those two books, you have the Methodist church.
Next up, here's a poem I wrote about seeing Mary in the garden that first Easter morning:
In the Garden, in the World
(audio version)
Read: John 20:1-18
Walking slowly in the dawning
burdened with grief
burdened with oil and spices
burdened with a task – an act of Love
To the tomb they come wondering
how could He be dead?
how can we bear it?
how can we roll away that stone?
Shocked to stillness, to standing
the guards are gone
the tomb is opened
the angel tells them that He is risen
Running to the disciples, then with two returning
the men look in
see He is not there
return pondering, confused
Left behind in the Garden, wondering
where can I find Him?
where have they taken Him?
where have you taken Him?
Asking the Gardener, weeping
hears Him call her name
sees Him welcome her
worships Him, falling at His feet
Listening to His Word, worshiping
“don’t fear, trust Me
“don’t hold Me, proclaim Me,
“tell them to come to Me.”
I see the scene unfold, marveling
The Tomb is empty!
The Tomb is empty!
The Tomb is empty! Hallelujah!
Mary met Him in the Garden
where will I meet Him? Here?
Mary worshiped Him as soon as she knew Him
when will I worship Him? Now?
Mary knew Him as her Lord, her all
what is He to me? Savior?
Mary ran to tell her friends to meet Him
whom will I tell? Anyone? Everyone?
Mary spent her life serving Him who saved her
why don’t I? how can I not?
- Charlie van Becelaere, © 2020
And finally, our task is to share the Good News. Live your life so that everyone you meet will wonder and want what you have (you will meet people again eventually) - and make sure that what you have is really Who you have. Amen.
Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
In times like these, it's more important than ever to come together. Grand Teuton Press is proud to join the #StayHome Movement uniting our entire industry to encourage everyone to stay home if you can to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Together we can save lives. #AloneTogether
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