Easter is very late this year. So, how is it going to look for your
worship schedules? I ask because Marshfield Schools usually set their Spring
break on Holy Week but not this
year. Will that matter to you? Will grandparents come here instead of you all
packing up and taking the week out to family? Will the attendance at church be
up this year compared to school break years? I can’t wait to find out. I really
hope you will be here with visitors. Cindy and I will print lots of bulletins.
Remember that Easter is complete as a four day worship service. Jesus has his
last supper (Thursday) with his followers, then we remember that he is crucified
the very next day. All is quiet over the Sabbath (Saturday) and then—behold!
Christ is Risen, Alleluia! Jesus’ followers have been worshiping on the first
day of the week, in the morning ever since. We believe that Jesus came to save
the world, not like we see in the hero movies—with flash and loud noises but
with faith, hope and love. Not just once for our whole lives, but again and
again, even daily; because of sin we need saving repeatedly. Our children say
that worship is boring—and often we agree with them. But then we eat the bread
and drink the wine and we remember Jesus. Boredom suddenly dissolves like a thin
mist and all that remains is Jesus and him alone, saving us and everyone around
us. This is what Luther wrote in his Large Catechism regarding the Easter
Church:
Therefore everything in this Christian community is so ordered that
everyone may daily obtain full forgiveness of sins through the Word and Signs
(Sacraments) appointed to comfort and encourage our consciences as long as we
live on earth. … Here there is full forgiveness of sins, both in that God
forgives us and that we forgive, bear with, and aid one another. … Now, however, we remain only halfway pure and holy. The Holy Spirit
must always work in us through the Word and Signs until we attain to that life
where there will be no more forgiveness. In that life there will be only
perfectly pure and holy people, full of integrity and righteousness, completely
freed from sin, death, and all misfortune, living in new, immortal, and
glorified bodies.
The work of Jesus is not flashy or loud, it is not going to leave
bruises or tears from bullying or forcing. The work of Jesus happens in our
understanding when we hear a good word and receive a bit and a sip of pure
promise from our maker who owns us down to the smallest particle. Baptized and
forgiven, today; and again until our last breath after which we are made new in
heaven. This is the faith of the Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Christian
church.
We are sent out from here fresh and new to invite others to their
release from sin and death here among the Easter people. Where Christ works His
greatest miracle.
