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(updated 3-27-24) “Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”  1 Corinthians 15:1-9 NRSV 
            “Happy Easter! He is risen!! He is risen indeed!” This was the message in texts and phone calls and at every worship service on March 31st. It almost seems like at Easter the whole creation is caught up in the celebration of resurrection! 
        I remember Easter Sunday as a boy growing up in a small country church. In my memory, faulty and frayed as it is, every Easter day was sunny and warm and filled with happy faces and celebration. How could it be any other way? He is risen – he is risen indeed! 
          As time has moved on, the Easter joy has deepened for me. Where this mystery of resurrection and new life was a lovely concept in my childhood it has now become a cherished promise as I have trusted my dear ones in my family of birth and the saints that I have served and served with for over 40 years. I find myself more and more a citizen of two worlds – this immediate home on earth and the promised reunion and release we call heaven. Sometimes I think I have more loved ones there than here! 
          Perhaps that is why Easter, Resurrection Sunday, means more and more to me as the years pass. Perhaps that is what moved the Apostle Paul to write these words in 1 Corinthians 15. A precious reminder of the hope that we carry, a hope that we offer to a broken and hurting world – “Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!” 
          Come and join us for worship at 9am Sunday morning for our Heritage worship service featuring our choir and familiar hymns. If you are unable to join us in person, we are recording live on Facebook.  Plan to come and join us – we’ll save you a seat!
Serving Christ with You, Pastor Bill Mudge