Tomorrow is
Easter Sunday
Worship Services
7:00 AM Sunrise Service
Breakfast on the Portico following Sunrise Service
8:15 AM Traditional Service
9:30 AM Praise Service
11:00 AM Traditional Service
Scripture
Matthew 27:57-66 (CEB)
 
57 That evening a man named Joseph came. He was a rich man from Arimathea who had become a disciple of Jesus. 58 He came to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate gave him permission to take it. 59 Joseph    took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had carved out of the rock. After he rolled a large stone at the door of the tomb, he went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting in front of the tomb.
 
62 The next day, which was the day after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate. 63 They said, "Sir, we remember that while that deceiver was still alive he said, 'After three days I will arise.' 64 Therefore, order the grave to be sealed until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people, 'He's been raised from the dead.' This last deception will be worse than the first."
 
65 Pilate replied, "You have soldiers for guard duty. Go and make it as secure as you know how." 66 Then they went and secured the tomb by sealing the stone and posting the guard.

Meditation

Roll the Stone Away! - By Wendy Harmon
 
Good Friday. Holy Saturday. Easter Sunday.
 
Chances are that you haven't spent a lot of time thinking about that middle one. For me, I have had my heart wrenched by Good Friday services where I was brought to tears by songs and scripture recounting Jesus' ultimate sacrifice. I leave those services with a heavy heart wondering if I could ever come close to being worthy of that sacrifice. And every Easter morning, I am thrilled by the majesty and pageantry of our church services extolling the wonder of the resurrection. But Holy Saturday... that's just another day.
 
For Jesus' disciples and friends, though, it was not just another day. For them, on that day between the crucifixion and the resurrection, Jesus was gone. He was locked in a tomb with a heavy stone sealing him in. I'm afraid that on many more days than just Holy Saturday, I find that I have locked God in a tomb with everything blocking the way out. Today, I'm challenging myself to let God out! I want to give up control of the stone and roll it aside, letting God have the messes in my life. Will you join me in that challenge?
Reflection
God is always with us, but we often seal God in a tomb by refusing to give up control. Have you ever stopped trusting God to work in your life? How can you roll the stone away so that you can be ready for the awesomeness that God has planned for you? Be in prayer and meditation as you open yourself to God's will in your life.

Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the many blessings you have given me. Help me remember to open myself to you and let your light shine through me. Today and every day. Amen.
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