Easter Sunday (April 17, 2022)

"The Three Marys at the Sepulchre," Giovanni Battista Gaulli (1639–1709), The Fitzwilliam Museum

READ: Early on Sunday morning, a group of women, all friends of Jesus, came to the tomb where he had been buried in a hurry. They brought spices and scented oils with them to properly finish his burial. But when they got to the tomb, the stone at the opening was rolled away and his body was gone. As they wondered about what had happened, two men in bright shining clothes appeared, saying “Why are you looking for the living in a cemetery? Jesus isn’t dead. Remember he told you that after his death he would rise again?
They did remember, and they went back to the other disciples and told them what they had found in the graveyard. No one believed them.
Peter wanted to check for himself, so he ran to the tomb and saw that it was empty. He went back to the others amazed at what he had heard and seen.  (Luke 24:1-12)    

WONDER: I wonder what it was like going to the tomb that morning?
I wonder how the women felt when Jesus died?
I wonder how they felt when they saw the tomb was empty?
I wonder what it was like to hear that Jesus was alive, that he had risen?
I wonder what it felt like to tell others that Jesus had risen?
I wonder what it felt like when the other disciples didn’t believe the women?

SAY: In this story we hear the good news that Jesus is alive, that the love of God is stronger than the forces of hatred and fear in our world.

PRAY: Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for Jesus, for the ways in which he shows us your love. Thank you for the hope you give us, that goodness is stronger than evil and love is stronger than hate. Help us to love as Jesus loved. Amen.

​EXTEND

• Affirmation prompt: I am hopeful. What brings you hope? A sunrise? A rainbow? Spring flowers? A good friend? Using your favorite art materials, draw a picture of hope. Where are you in that picture?
• Read Peace by Wendy Anderson Halperin. You can borrow it from our church library. With beautiful illustrations and quotes, the book points to the interconnectedness of the world. Peace flows from our hearts, through our neighborhoods, and out into the world. Don’t miss the dedication in the front of the book--a series of blessings for the reader.