“The Day After Easter”
The head of the chocolate bunny is gone, And the green plastic grass from the Easter basket
Festive dress clothes lie wrinkled, For the laundry or the dry cleaner
Sumptuous Easter dinner is all but forgotten
Along with the Easter sermons,
Chorales, dramas, sunrise services in the park
Shouts and songs of hallelujah!
All the fuss and fanfare was a nice thing, we say
But it is now the day after Easter
Today we return to life as it is
To us as we are
And Resurrection will have to wait
For another year.
I wonder what the day after Easter – i.e. the day after Jesus’ resurrection – was like for Jesus’ first group of followers. I know what the day after Easter is like for most of us. We go back to work or school or just back to “normal”. After a day of celebration, we force ourselves to get back into the normal routine of life—albeit a little tired and a still a little full from all the food we’ve eaten. We ask each other, “How was your Easter?” and then go on to talk about the weather or the latest news items. We enjoyed the church services, but now it’s time to get back into the real world of schedules, stocks, and sports. Like the day after any holiday, the day after Easter can even seem to be a bit of a letdown.
But I wonder, is that the way it was for Jesus’ first followers the day after they experienced the risen Christ? Did they just get back to the normal routines of their lives? Was it a day of letdown? I don’t think so.
I tend to think that when they woke up that Monday morning they had to, first of all, ask themselves, had yesterday really happened? And, when they realized that it had, hope was birthed anew within each of their hearts. As they sought each other out they didn’t ask, “How was your yesterday?” Rather, they spoke about today, and tomorrow, and the days that would follow. Most of all, they spoke about Jesus, reminding each other that truly he was alive! They knew that the resurrection of Jesus was not just something to remember, but an event that would impact their lives far into the future, even into eternity!
The fact that the One whom they had seen crucified was now alive turned their world around. Thus, they couldn’t help but spread the news. And, not only did they celebrate once a year but they lived lives of celebration, knowing that because Jesus lived, they too would live.
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11)
“By his power, God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.” (1 Corinthians 6:14)
Many people will move on from Easter Sunday to an ordinary Monday, unaware of the significance of all they heard about the previous day. They’ll continue to fight sin in their own strength, think the meaning of life lies somewhere outside God’s provision in Christ, and battle a nagging fear of death. The resurrection will fade into the white noise of their lives, making no discernible impact. Let’s not make the same mistake.
May your day after Easter, and every day that follows be filled with the life of our risen Savior!
*New Sermon Series* – Beginning April 8th
There is an old English Idiom: the elephant in the room. It refers to an obvious truth that everyone ignores. Or it is something that everybody is thinking about but nobody is talking about. We’ve each experienced the elephant in the room phenomenon at some point in our lives whether with family or even a co-worker.
In the same sense, the church has issues that it tends to ignore. And this series is about identifying some of those church elephants. We can’t possibly answer every question or confront every issue. This series is bound to step on some toes. You may even hear something you don’t totally agree with. But, there are some 5-ton elephants in the church and we aren’t doing anybody any favors if we don’t talk about it.
Here’s what it comes down to: We need to STOP answering questions that no one is asking and BEGIN answering the questions we have avoided for far too long. We need to have the tough conversations about tough topics – and the beauty of it is – that by talking about it, it just makes things easier. So come join us! Don’t be afraid to be a part of the conversation and ask tough questions. We are all in this together!
It all beings this coming Sunday, April 8th!
Events in April:
- Spring Clean (April 7 [Rain date will be April 14]) – Just like any house, our church house needs some spring cleaning! Wash windows, rake leaves, pull weeds, clean inside and outside of church and grove…just to name a few items on the list! Come lend a hand for an hour or two or stay till the work is finished! Connect with friends, have some fun, chase away winter cobwebs, and help make our church home sparkle! (If you happen to have outdoor equipment of your own [rake, garden tools, gloves, tarp, etc.] please bring them with you!)
- Men’s Study (Beginning April 8th following Sunday Worship) – Guys – let’s be honest – we’ve all got issues. That’s nothing to be ashamed of nor does that mean that those struggles we face, particularly as men, need to be handled alone. We just can’t keep feeding into that mantra – we need each other and our faith in Jesus Christ to combat a world of sin. This new study is a men’s ONLY gathering that will meet after church on an every other Sunday basis. If interested, be sure to get in touch with Pastor David or Scott Reeser who is heading up this new study group!
Upcoming Events:
- Mother’s Day (May 13th) – We’d like to wish all of the Moms, Grandmas, and Mothers-to-be a wonderful and special day to celebrate what they mean to us as well as God’s work in their lives. Join us for a special recognition that Sunday morning for all the Moms!
- EC National Conference (May 30th – June 1st) – Every year the Evangelical Congregational (EC) Church gathers for our annual meeting. During this time leaders from the denomination share about what God is doing in the local church, the denomination, and around the globe during this 3-day event. Pastors and Lay Delegates from all EC Churches gather for worship, sharing, and updating each other about their churches health and future goals/plans. This year’s theme is “All In” based around Philippians 3:13-14: “He [Jesus] died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” Join us in prayer for all the pastors, lay delegates, and denomination leaders as we listen to God’s wisdom for our churches.
- Summer Movie and Game Nights – During the Summer months, we love to have special events to celebrate the wonderfully fun season of warmth with extra gatherings. It’s an easy and fun way to invite others without freaking them out since “they’re going to CHURCH!” Keep an eye out for special dates beginning in May and all throughout the Summer to get involved in as well as invite family and friends!
Don’t forget to stay in touch here on our website as well as at our church! Feel free to comment AND SHARE with your friends on social media and we look forward to seeing you at California EC Church this month!
Don’t want to miss out on new posts? Be sure to check back for more Monthly Snapshots (always on the 1st of the month), “The Gospel According to…” reviews, and lots of other great things here on our church blog!
I can’t wait for the new series. I love the suspense!