Greetings St. John’s Lutheran Church!

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” –Matthew 28:5-7

“He is Not Here”

The women went to the tomb Easter morning expecting to find the body of their beloved friend, Jesus of Nazareth, who had been killed on the cross. They certainly did not expect to find the tomb empty. Faithful Christian around the world come to church during Holy Week expecting to find fellow followers of Christ worshipping and celebrating Jesus’ death on the cross and his rising from the grave. They certainly would not expect to find the church empty.

Good News

Who could have known that an empty tomb would be such good news? – that after dying on the cross, Jesus would conquer death and walk once more on earth to deliver the good news to his friends and followers? Who could have known that an empty church would be such good news? – that to protect the most vulnerable (“the little ones” as Jesus calls them) by staying at home, we would learn to worship and communicate the good news of Jesus in a whole new way online?

Knowing Jesus in a New Way

Just as the women came to know Jesus in a new way after he was raised from the dead, we too are coming to know Jesus and to experience his presence in Christian community in a new way during these strange and sometimes unsettling times as we live apart. Celebrate Holy Week and Easter with us this year in a new way. See page 3 for details. Whether via mail, phone, or online chat, may we continue to proclaim the message: “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!”

In Christ, Pastor Kat