GREETINGS TO THE FEASTING FELLOWSHIP OF CHRIST THE KING!
Followers of the Risen One, I have had great delight in feasting with you this Easter Season as we broke and tore apart challah bread on Sunday. The bread was delicious and tearing it apart, straying from our usual neat and tidy distribution patterns to a more spur of the moment reminds us that although Jesus prepared his disciples for what was to come, they were still surprised in the ways he showed up like in the breaking of the bread.
May 18 is Ascension Day, 40 days after the resurrection, Jesus ascends, returns to the Father, his mission is complete, his work done and now ours continues. We are witnesses of these things that have been handed on to us through the generations. We get to tell what we know and how we experience Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension.
Formation of the cross and all that it brings to us has been revealed through Jesus. We look up and down, orienting ourselves. Looking up we know that God sent his son, Jesus to be with us, among us. Looking down we remember how Jesus was with us, he taught us about God, God’s kingdom and how to live in relationship with God and one another through love and service. He suffered, died, rose from death, appearing to his disciples and returning to God. We look up again. The vertical part of the cross well established and connected to us.
For the horizontal part of the cross, we continue to see the fruit of Jesus’ work among us as we look side to side, seeing Jesus in each other and the true image of God we were created to be. God’s kingdom comes among us and God’s will is done. We are part of something that is bigger than ourselves. Each in our own little way, with our own little contribution gets to take part. Don’t discount your witness. Or excuse yourself from participating in this work, this kingdom building that God has called us to embrace and take delight in. We don’t always know how we help each other to witness God’s power and presence among us. We step out in faith, trusting that God will and does work through our lives and relationships and we keep looking for Jesus to show up in our relationships.
Gerald and Donna Vraspier’s memorial service was on Ascension Day. They returned back to God, our Creator, joining the communion of saints. I am grateful for their lives. I am grateful for their witness among us. I remember Donna’s beautiful bright blue eyes shining with a twinkle as she received holy communion. I hope my face shows that same eagerness and delight to receive Jesus. What a beautiful witness. I remember Gerald sitting next to the wall on the organ side, so he had something to lean on to help him up. He had bad knees and yet he came to worship and would not let me bring communion to him. He showed me hard work and determination even in the midst of bodily pain. I want to come to worship with such determination. Together they made a beautiful home to nurture their family. It was easy to see Jesus in their presence as the Holy Spirit worked through them.
I am grateful for all the ways that you witness to Jesus and make him known among us. God is working with us. Showing us the way. We are in the final days of our Easter festival celebration. This last Sunday of Easter ends with what we do best when it comes to giving God praise and thanksgiving. We sing. Come celebrate with our choir and bell choir and the music they share with us as we worship God and conclude our Easter feasting season.
Bold Inquisitive Belief Loving Expansively,
Pastor Connie Spitzack
