Today:  We meet as one church community, one Service instead of two.

Today: Some people loved the music; a few did not love the music.

Today: There was no pastor’s message, yet there was a pastor’s message.

Today: It was enjoyable to see the Thrive children share the Resurrection story of Jesus with us.

Today: There were faces of people I have not seen in a long time.

Yet while today was like any other Easter Sunday, Today was not like any other Easter Sunday

I gave up the pastors message time using the Title ‘Can I get a Witness’, at first wanting people to share the story of Christ in their life. However, one of our young people asked me last week if they could share something that was on her heart. She handed me a letter to read. I read the letter and said we would talk about it again today (Easter) and that I would let her share what was on her heart. Heart sharing can be difficult. When we share our heart, we also open our heart.   I prayed on this all week, and decided since God did not strike me down with a lightning bolt, it must have been what he wanted done.

I warned the congregation that not everyone would like her words, and in fact, a few people might not like them at all. Therefore, she shared her heart, as well as several others who were compelled by her words. What was supposed to be a time of Witnessing for Christ, turned into a time when I believe an underlying hurt was brought out of the tomb!

One person shared about things as it related to people, tired of the backstabbing, the gossip and the hate that they felt, One person lifted up the fact that we are not doing enough for our young people, as they live in a different world then many of the older young people have ever experienced. One talked about his son who had passed away, and the loss he was still feeling. Another young boy shared the fact that he wanted to spend time with his dad, He was hurting, and I believe dad was hurting also, as dad came up and shared in the witnessing with his son. My wife shared about some of our journey together and the fact that God helped change her when she became a new creation in and through Jesus Christ.

While sitting and listening, I remembered a conversation several years ago with a former member of the church when she shared with me that she loved the church and she loved the people. However, she never felt any love in return from the people she loved… (She was in here late 60′s then)… After some time she believed God was calling her to a different church. Today she is a church where she feels loved.

Is it possible that through an awkward time of Easter Celebration the underlying struggle of this church was lifted up so healing could start to take place?

Is it possible that God has decided it is time for us to address the things that have held us in captivity?

Is it possible that we have been called to Resurrect into the Church and Community that God wants us to be, not what a handful want us to be?

Is it possible that through hard words, painful sharing, and live experiences we as a church are going to experience God in a new and wonderful lite?

Is it possible that today was Easter Sunday?

I am looking forward to next Sunday, what about you?

Christ is risen, have you embraced him?

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