Alleluia, Christ is risen!

The most famous Easter sermon ever given, was given by John Chrysostom (347-407) and is still read every year in many Orthodox churches. He preached, in part,

Christ is risen, and you, O death, are obliterated!
Christ is risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life is set free!
Christ is risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
For Christ, having risen from the dead,
Is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Our forty days of Lent (the time of preparing for Easter) are over. We move from a time set aside for self-assessment, into the season of Easter, a time of grace. We never did or could earn God's favor in Lent. But the joy of Easter is that we did not have to. God loves you right now, just as you are, and God is calling you to something better. How do can you know that's true for you? Because, scripture teaches that is always true, for all people, especially when someone feels undeserving of God's love.

Today was a big day at King of Peace, no less for the nine people baptized and the even dozen who confirmed their baptismal vows or were received into the Episcopal Church, but for all 202 of us gathered to worship together on this most holy day for Christians. The photos from Easter at King of Peace, including the service, the meal that followed, the Easter egg hunts and the moon bounce are all online.