An Easter Message
Faithfulness in Times of Tumult
By Pastor Timothy R. Gerde
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow;
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
Because He Lives, UMH #364
Words by Gloria & William Gaither
Dear Members and Friends of Peakland United Methodist Church,
These are anxious and fearful times for our nation and the nations of our world. I’ve struggled a great deal with what words or thoughts I might convey to you this Easter – words or thoughts that might bring
comfort or hope – to make some sense of our nation’s political struggles and historical commitments in light of the Gospel we proclaim in the Risen Lord. How do we fashion faithfulness in times of tumult?
In the narrative of human history, turmoil and trouble are the norms rather than the exceptions. In Jesus’ own time, the political uncertainty of his day was the historical context behind his life and teachings. The Disciples and followers struggled with the belief that, “If Jesus was the Messiah, then moral clarity and political certainty would follow.” If we follow Jesus, life should make sense; we should understand the events of our time. Jesus’ death on the cross seemed the triumph of those
forces that echo down the corridor of history and of human endeavor; of the dying of hope and the reign of despair. Yet, instead of order and understanding, we more likely know chaos.
Mary Magdalene lived this tumult. In her heart the words of the Messiah had fashioned a faith profound in its forgiveness, healing in its grace. Yet, Golgotha seemed the victor. Golgotha seemed to put to an end the notion that our lives and history might draw themselves to a richer conclusion than human endeavor alone might evolve.
“Mary”, from the voice of the One she presumed to be the gardener, was instead the greeting of the Risen Lord. Jesus, who gave himself over to death and the tumult of his time, by the power of the Holy Spirit, enters into the tumult and death of all times. The majesty of the will and
the way of God in history would be confirmed in this greeting, “Mary”. God called her name, “Mary”, from both sides of the grave (John 20:11-18).
This greeting would open both the realms of history and our hearts to the reign of God. It’s the promise of God that our name will be spoken on both sides of the grave. That history, even in moments like these, belongs to God – that you and I belong to God. This belief and trust
calls us from fear and despair to something greater in the Kingdom of God.
This belief and trust call us to mission and service.
To be faithful in this or any time means to serve. The Gospel that saves us frees us for service, frees us to love. Easter is the voice of God, saying, “I am with you always”; it is the voice of God calling you and me by name.
I pray God’s blessing upon you this Easter.
Pastor Timothy R. Gerde
Music Notes
by Steve Cox
Our congregation is a diverse group who have come from different backgrounds,
worship experiences, and have varying musical tastes and needs. We are making a concerted effort not only to make music and the spoken word compatible, we also are trying to minister to these diversities. We would like to provide the congregation with more options in hymn singing.
The Music Committee, with the blessings of Programs and Ministries and the Administrative Board, have embarked on a plan to fulfill that need. In lieu of lilies for Easter and other memorials for Mother’s and Father’s Day, we would like to suggest that you consider donating The Faith We Sing to the church in honor or memory of someone.
In addition, we still need some more The United Methodist Hymnals
to replace those missing from the Sanctuary. These can also be given
in honor or in memory.
The pew edition of The Faith We Sing is $10 and the choir edition is $15, as is a copy of The United Methodist Hymnal. Forms are available in the bulletin and in the Church Office. Please contact the church office about the deadlines for inclusion in the special Sunday
bulletins.
The hymnals will be dedicated when we return to the renovated Sanctuary.
Thank you for your anticipated support of this project.
