getting out the word

the second sunday of easter

the PRAYER …

O God of life, you reach out to us amid our fears with the wounded hands of your risen Son. By your Spirit’s breath revive our faith in your mercy, and strengthen us to be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

the READING …

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
john 20:19-31

the DEVOTION …

Past two Sundays, we’ve begun worship the same way. Not with the usual greeting from 2nd Corinthians … “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all!” But with the easter one: “Alleluia! Christ is risen! r/Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!” The one the church has used for centuries! It’s an echo of that first Easter morning! A proclamation, actually! An announcement! A declaration! And there’s only one way to respond … not by trying harder … or doing better … but, simply, by believing!

But nowadays, we’re so practical. So pragmatic. For us, life’s all about doing. Setting goals. Specific. Measurable. Then achieving those goals. Our world revolves around quotas and deadlines. And yet, we forget! That’s not church! Not foremost! Not first! When someone tells us, “He’s risen,” there’s nothing to obey! The only response is to believe what we’re told! Christianity – church – isn’t a philosophy. It’s not a set of rules, a way of living. It’s a faith! A trust! Someone tells us, “He is risen!” And the only thing we can say in return is, “Amen! Amen! This is most certainly true!” The only thing we can “do” is believe!

Midland Lutheran Church
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