Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
We are still celebrating the season of Easter. It does indeed feel like Easter…maybe not with all the usual moments of celebration. Vocal choir anthems were still silent, but the handbells and organ and brass and Praise Band provided so much of what I remembered from years past – I could actually be led down the road to resurrection celebrations this year. As I said in my Easter Sunday sermon, I know Jesus is raised from the dead whether we are together in worship or not – Pastor Tony reminds me of this fact. ALL. THE. TIME. Yet, being together this year was a beautiful beginning to our full return to life as a community of faith.
I am reminded of the disciples gathering, rather hiding, in the locked room on Easter evening. Afraid for their very lives, unsure of what the emptiness of the tomb means for them, they are longing for Jesus’ full return. And Jesus does not disappoint. He shows up. Though the doors and windows are locked in fear, Jesus shows up. Full body – all the scars – resurrected and returned to the disciples just as Jesus said he would. The disciples had their doubts. Even as the women told their stories. Even as Peter and John saw the empty tomb and reported back to the disciples what they had seen or rather what they had not seen. Even as Mary Magdalene heard Jesus call her name. The disciples had their doubts. And so do we. Yes, we know the resurrection to be true. Story after story of Jesus appearing to the disciples are told in the book we claim as the “living word of God.” In a locked room, on the road to Emmaus, and on the seashore by a campfire – Jesus returns fully to show, rather than share, the good news of the resurrection. Yet the doubts still linger. That is why I am always grateful for Thomas on the Sunday after Easter. For one day in the year, the doubters get a hero to claim as their own. I changed my whole perspective on Thomas not long after I was ordained. He brought confidence to my own questions. I am grateful for his courage. Grateful still more for Jesus offering Thomas the healed scars of wounds to touch to prove Jesus’ full return. If the proof was good enough for Thomas – it is good enough for me.
The full return of life at Ascension, and life in general, is still a little ways off, I believe. Yes, we are moving forward – that is the direction I like most. Sitting still and maintaining “what is” – not so much. We continue to listen to the experts but also to each other in our community of faith. We continue to walk with hope and caution as we take the next step in our worship life with singing with masks indoors beginning the last Sunday of April. I appreciate that not everyone agrees with this next step as we are still living in the midst of the pandemic. However, I am also keenly aware of the need to provide concrete moments of engagement that ground us in our faith far beyond listening to the Word of God and meditating while music plays. It is not the perfect solution, but it does invite us to keep moving in a direction. I believe that is why the season of Easter lasts so long. An opportunity to help us move in a new direction in our faith with 50 days of celebration of the resurrection. Thanks be to God!
There are many new directions at Ascension that are happening even as the pandemic continues to remind us that we are not “there” just yet. Our 2020 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan was forgiven and council is discerning new directions for our visioning. Our Global Partners in El Salvador and Tanzania are inviting us to consider new ways of partnering as we seek their guidance in our support and companionship. Cross Lutheran in Milwaukee continues to minister in important ways with the members of their church and their community through the fulfilling of basic needs of food, medical and mental health care, and the tending of their spiritual hunger as well. Closer to home, we are beginning to see resurrection with our worship life and, if you are ready, we need people to step back into their roles in worship leadership – an email is coming but you don’t have to wait for the email to let Tamie in the office know you are ready to help out as an usher, communion assistant, or acolyte. Sorry we are still only using acolytes in 6-8th grade. If you are over 14, let me help you find another way to bring light to our worship. Also, small groups are back in meeting mode – some offering a combination of virtual and in-person meetings. Pastor Tony had 23 at his first Spiritual Practices study that began on April 12th. Our JOLT students have been meeting and will meet one more time before the end of May. First Communion candidates gathered at the end of April. And a Spring Property Day Clean-up is on the calendar for Saturday, May 22nd. We will to offer our graduating seniors their “toweling” on June 6 at the outdoor service.
Our Spanish language worship has been in full in-person worship mode along side our English-speaking worship services. I am grateful to Edwin who has continued to lead this ministry as he also prepares for his endorsement interview completion on May 6th, which is the next step in his seminary career as he prepares for ordination. Your prayers are appreciated. Also on May 1st – Edwin officially begins his 18 months of internship here at Ascension alongside Pastor Tony and myself. We are excited to welcome Edwin into more learning and practicing and participating in the life of the congregation. He will show up along side Pastor Tony and/or me at the hospital, at funerals, at weddings, and in the day-to-day ministry of Ascension. He will also begin preaching at the English services as his schedule allows. So much excitement in these next months at Ascension.
My hope is that the summer will offer more opportunities for resurrection, reconnection, restoration, and return. We are hopefully planning our Kick-Off Sunday on Sept. 12 with activities for everyone – a pig roast, and an experience of activities for kids with inflatables and a return to BLAST ministries. We have much to celebrate as we look to the days ahead and a full return of life by the grace of God, to the glory of God. All we need is a little bit of coffee, a lot of Jesus, and you.
Until I get to see your face – which can be next Sunday, if you are ready. Peace be with you.
Pastor Chris
(Reprinted from the May 2021 newsletter)
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