April Communicator

APRIL COMMUNICATOR

April 2020

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! 

This often repeated acclamation of the Easter season can seem a bit strange to some of our ears.  Shouldn’t it be “Christ has risen” rather than “is risen?”  Since the resurrection of Jesus is a past event, “has” would be an appropriate word to use in our proclamation. 

However, that little word “is” bears witness to an even greater truth; Jesus didn’t rise only to die again.  No, Jesus Christ is risen – He remains risen… alive… glorious… undefiled… reigning on high.  As we sing in that great Resurrection hymn in the words of the prophet Job, “I Know that my Redeemer Lives!”

While we remain under quarantine restrictions, my prayer for all of us at Calvary is that we would find creative ways in our daily lives to celebrate, and communicate, the joyful Eastertide that Christ IS risen! I want to encourage each of you to do what you can to spread the joy and confidence we have through Jesus’ resurrection.

Pick up your church directory and call a few people to check in on them and pray with them.  Send a letter or a card to folks you haven’t seen or heard from in a while.  Go on our church website (CalvaryLpLCMS.org) and check out our services, devotional resources and children’s resources.  Share these resources with those you know.  Post them on Facebook and other social media sites you are on.  Share videos of yourself or your family doing daily devotions, or singing a song, or come up with your own way to share the Good News that Christ IS risen!  For He is risen indeed! Alleluia!  Christ is risen from the dead, undefiled, reigning on high, and will be coming again in glory to judge the living and the dead. 

Christ our risen Savior is our judge who will raise each and every person from death.  We who trust in Him for our salvation will be joined with Him in a resurrection like His: a resurrection to an unending, undefiled, glorious life in the new creation.  Through faith in His victory for our sake we have this sure promise. Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Living forever, now,

Pastor Michael James Grannis