Holy Week devotion: Easter Sunday - John 20:1-18

Bible reading: John 20:1-18

Today’s verse:                  John 20:17

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

            Today is the greatest day of celebration on the Christian calendar. This is the Day that Christ was raised, so we should be glad and rejoice in it. This is the Day which makes our faith so important, not just for us, but for the entire world.

            As we read the Gospel narrative about Christ’s Resurrection, we should make time to re-pledge our hearts to Him, re-connect our spirits to God, and renew our hopes and dreams in Jesus, our Risen Savior and Almighty Lord.

            We are Easter people, redeemed from our sins by Christ’s sacrifice and restored to God’s Everlasting Kingdom by the power of Christ’s Resurrection!

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

How will I share my joy in Christ with the world today?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the Savior of the world and our Almighty King. We rejoice in You this Day and forevermore. Amen.

Jesus Christ is Risen Today!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

But the pain which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation hath procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He's king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as His love, Alleluia!
Praise Him, all you heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia! 

Easter is Earlier, But Sunrise is Later

It’s a funny thing, but with Easter being so early this year and DST changing in March, sunrise is at 7.34am. Usually, an Easter sunrise takes place about an hour earlier, which makes getting out of bed that wee bit harder. This year, however, everyone can sleep in an extra hour and enjoy the sunrise without bleary eyes!

If you’re looking for a sunrise service, why not join Erin Presbyterian Church members, who gather over at the flagpole of Tate’s School of Discovery, at the top of Cedar Bluff, just before it meets Middlebrook Pike. They sing hymns, say prayers, and read Easter scriptures, whilst waiting for the sun to begin its dance across the sky! The school looks out across the Smokies and is a perfect skyline for sunrise.

The sunrise service is led by their Scottish pastor, John Stuart, and begins at 7.25am . It usually finishes around 7.45am. If you’ve never been to an Easter sunrise service, this may be the best year in a lifetime to attend one. And if you like to hear a Scottish accent, this is the place to be!

Everybody is welcome! And if you prefer to come to a later church service, join us at Erin Presbyterian at 11.00am!

Fifty Three Percent

Audio version here

Psalm 96:8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. (NIV)

I was reading a report the other day that startled me. It stated that in the last month, 53% of church attending Christians gave nothing to their church. Zilch. Nada. Absolute zero. I was shocked. How could people call themselves Christians and not set aside something for God at least every month?

The reason that was given for this surprising news was not surprising at all. Americans have over-stretched their borrowing ability and are paying back high interest mortgages, car payments, and credit cards. Giving to God is being given a low priority, for even some Christians – at least 53%? – are having difficulty with debt.

Thankfully, there are some good budgeting programs to help Christians get out of the debt spiral, and if folks are willing to go through them, they discover that there is light at the end of the tunnel. However, those financial programs emphasize giving to church as a number one priority. Why? Because all of our resources, blessings, and wealth come from God. When we give up giving to God we are dishonoring Him. When we withhold from giving to the church, we are disrespecting Christ.

So, maybe next month we should set aside what we give to God first, and then deal with our debts second. It may cause us to spend less and budget more, but after all that’s what good stewards do for the kingdom we are in, and the King whom we serve.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us completely and You are aware of all the financial burdens that we have. You also know about the resources we possess and the gifts we bring to You. Help us to give cheerfully and faithfully, constantly and frequently to Your Church, for in so doing we honor and glorify Your mission on earth and Your ministry to the world. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Doubting Your Doubts

Weekend Digital glass screensaver depicting Thomas tentatively reaching out to touch Christ's wounded hand.

Like a Rolling Stone...

Last of the anime type Easter posters

Easter morning - Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!



Death where is your victory? Grave where is your sting?