EASTER  SUNDAY                            

          April 6, 2023

Dear Road Church Friends,

Jesus’ resurrection lit a flame that still burns today. It began with flames flickering over the heads of the first disciples in Jerusalem. That flame set hearers’ hearts on fire. From Jerusalem the torch of Easter faith was carried to the ends of the world by a Church on fire.  The fire of our resurrection faith is like the Olympic Torch that connects the modern Games to those in ancient times. Every two years it is lit from a fire at the site of the ancient games and relayed from there to the current year’s host city.

The fire of Easter faith that transformed the ancient world from pagan to Christian, is the same spiritual fire at work in the world today. The story of Jesus that ends with, “He is Risen!” is still good news, and is being embraced at an unprecedented rate in South America, Asia and Africa. There are now more Anglicans in Africa than there are in England. We may be on the verge of a new Reformation.   

My prayer is that all of us and our Churches will experience a fresh infusion of Easter faith and Easter fire.

SERMON:  The Torch of Easter Faith     SCRIPTURE:  Colossians 3:1-4

“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.”

WHAT DOES EASTER MEAN TO YOU?

What does Easter mean to you? Stately church with cushioned pew,

Where, Lenten season gone at last and days of self-denial past,

Richly clad devoted throngs of worshippers unite in songs

Of praise in lily scented air? is this what makes your Easter fair?

Does it mean the end of winter’s reign, bright skies and welcome warmth again,

Singing of birds, budding of trees, Sweet Spring odors on the breeze

From daffodil and crocus bed and balsam branches overhead?

Sad is the world and cold and gray, if this is all of Easter Day.

But if this blessed season brings a firmer faith in holy things,

Assurance of a living Lord, a strengthening of the tender chord

Of love that binds us to the life to come where loved ones ‘wait us in the heavenly home,

No pain or loss can e’er efface the bliss, dear friend, of Easter when it means all this.

by May Ricker Conrad

Don’t Forget Our Special Holy Week and Easter Services!

Maundy Thursday/Tenebrae, Passion Story Service

of Special Music and Readings tonight at 7:00 pm. 

Easter Sunrise Service at Stonington Point, April 9th at 6:15 am.

Easter Worship Service at Road Church, April 9th at 10:00 am.

Easter blessings to you all,

Pastor Norm

Our Worship Service on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/Q122JUgcsik?feature=share