March 16, 2020

Pastor's Corner  Pastor John D. Morris

Easter Plantings

On Wednesday of Holy Week, Sara Vanell and her daughters, Madison and Olivia, planted three beautiful pots of pansies in the church columbarium courtyard. Their brightness cheers me as I occasionally catch their velvety faces as I walk around an empty church.

But probably only a handful of people – if that -- have seen them.

Later that week, I bumped into Jerri Hutter who was leaving the church.  She had decided to go ahead and plant some flowers in the two large planters at the front entrance to the church. She wasn’t sure if anyone would notice, but she had done it for Easter for many years, and just couldn’t help herself.

I suppose a few people might have seen them when they drove into the church parking lot, but mostly they have spent their time dressing up the entrance to our church for no one in particular.

Sometimes I wonder how many people noticed what happened that first Easter morning. Yes, I know a few of the Marys went to the tomb and then a couple of disciples.  But I’ll bet that by noon on that first Easter day hardly anyone in the city of Jerusalem had really noticed.

But resurrection had happened. The tomb was empty, and the new life that is the Crucified Risen One was beginning to shape the lives and the futures of an entire world.

I know they are just some pots of flowers, and hundreds of worshippers have not walked by them as they would have in other years.

But I have seen them. Some of our staff has seen them. God has seen them.

And they remind me of the new life that is ours in Christ Jesus.
 

Alleluia!  Christ is risen!        

Christ is risen, indeed.  Alleluia!
 
Pastor John D. Morris, Senior Pastor
 

P.S.  Many people have been asking about our financial status. Because we were halfway into March before the shutdown, March ended up very well. But we are expecting a difficult April as it will be a full month of no worship services, and we will lose the normal additional giving from Holy Week and Easter. But you can help! Please continue to give your offering regularly through the Breeze church app or simply by mailing your donations directly to the church. I have been so proud of all the faithful support that we have already received, and I know that all of you will do everything you can to keep our church strong during this crisis. Peace!