Dear Hearts,

"The Lord is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!"  As I write this, these words seem premature.  They proclaim a reality for the day of resurrection, and that day dawns tomorrow.

On Good Friday, the powers of this world focused their struggle for power, privilege and position on an itinerant Jewish teacher and healer.  Their fear, hatred and violence led them to conspire to crucify Jesus, Never mind that he was an innocent man.  In the face of the vicious brutality that killed Jesus, two leaders of the community risked their standing to do the right thing by Jesus; they gave his body a proper burial.  Matthew tells us that the temple authorities -- still fearing for their power, privilege and position -- sealed the tomb and posted a guard to see to it that Jesus stayed dead.

How is God going to respond to the violence, hatred and brutality directed at Jesus?  Some of the Gospel accounts report earthquakes and the curtain of the temple being torn from top to bottom at the moment of Jesus' death.  However, the earthquakes don't destroy the places where Jesus was condemned, tormented and crucified.  No further damage is done to the temple. No lightening bolts strike down the religious and civil authorities responsible for the death of Jesus.  There is no revenge; all that violence goes with Jesus to his grave. 

The events of this past week bring to mind the old saying that we live in a "Good Friday world."  Violent and ugly struggles for power, privilege and place continue.  In the face of the brutality that continues and the brutality done to Jesus,  God offers a different response.  Instead of yet more violence, there is redemption!  As a new day dawns, God's answer is not more death, but new life!  God raises Jesus from the dead.  That sealed tomb cannot contain his new risen life.  And so, on the Day of Resurrection we will be inspired to say with his first disciples: " Alleluia!  Christ is risen! The Lord is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!"

But this Risen Life isn't just for Jesus.  He invites us all to the transformation of his Risen Life.  Jesus isn't a solitary Easter person.  The rest of that old saying about our Good Friday world is about our identity as "Easter people" -- people of compassion, hope and redemption, people of the Risen Life.
 
All sorts of preparations are underway for our Easter celebrations.  Our Altar Guild is busily bringing out our best and finest; flowers of spring, provided by your memorial and thanksgiving gifts, express our hopes for new life.  Musicians are preparing for their celebrations of new life at both our 8 and 10a.m. services. (However, the Youth String Ensemble will appear at just the 10a.m. service.)  Perhaps you are preparing a treat to share at our festive potluck coffee hour?  Or finding a flower with which to decorate the cross by the Children's Altar?  Or locating a basket for the Children's Easter Egg Hunt that will follow the 10a.m. service?

Whatever your preparations may be, I look forward to sharing in tomorrow's Alleluias with you!
In faith and hope,
Harrison+
YFNR

Dear Hearts,

Holy Week actually began on Palm Sunday with the Blessing of the Palms, as we recalled Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Our worship began on a high note with a procession led by nine Acolytes.  They joined the Choir, Chalice Bearers and me, in being the villains (i.e. council of chief priests and elders, and their soldiers) who denounce Jesus in the Passion Story.  A week that began with joy and Jesus proclamation that he came in Peace (that's what riding a donkey meant), ended in turmoil, violence and death.

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, we walk with Jesus as the conspiracy to kill him gathers momentum.

• "Spy Wednesday" is a nickname given to this day in Holy Week -- the day when the Church recalls Judas' conspiring with the religious authorities who opposed Jesus.  Just like a spy today, Judas is willing to betray one who loves him for money.  A team of young readers will help us mark "Spy Wednesday" with the moving service of Tenebrae at 7 p.m. This is an evocative service of readings, psalmody, familiar tunes, and gathering darkness.
• Maundy Thursday is the day we remember Jesus' "new commandment:" "Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another."(John 13:34)  Then Jesus shows us what that love looks like; he blesses bread and wine as a sign of his abiding presence, and washes his disciples feet to demonstrate how they are to serve one another.  Afterwards he goes out to his betrayal and arrest.  Our worship at 7 p.m. movingly recalls all of the above.  The drama ends with the stripping of the altar to recall how Jesus was treated by his captors.
• Good Friday is called "good," because Jesus takes all the world's anger, hatred, and violence on himself.  Instead of returning and escalating the evil done to him, Jesus absorbs it, taking it all with him to the grave.  We have three opportunities to walk this journey with Jesus:

1. Three-Hour Watch begins at noon with readings, hymns,sermon and prayers appropriate to the day; J.S. Bach's Passion Chorales for Organ, along with corresponding readings and prayers, fill most of the second and third hours; the Watch concludes with silent communion and tolling our tower bell at the 3p.m. hour of Jesus' death.  Between the organ music and participating in tolling the bell, you might want to bring a handkerchief.  Feel free to come and go during this service as your schedule requires.
2. Good Friday for Children at 5:15 p.m. takes our youngsters through the events of each day of Holy Week with hands-on storytelling.  While it may not be appropriate to have fun on Good Friday, this service does engage a playful curiosity in following Jesus.  Adults may attend if accompanied by children.
3. Good Friday Evening Service at 7 p.m. includes the readings, hymns, homily, and prayers of the day, with a concluding communion in silence.  The news from Brussels reminds us -- if we need a reminder -- of the evil the world can do.  We end Good Friday with a renewed awareness that God experiences this evil along with us.

I hope that these final days of our Holy Week journey will help us become more aware of God's abiding presence with us, even, and especially, in the worst of times.

Harrison+
YFNR

p.s. As an example of one saint's faithful response to the evil of his own day, have a look at the entries in LentMadness.org for Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  You can find them here, here and here.  He appears to be on his way to receiving the LentMadness "Golden Halo;" of course, he's already got the real thing.