Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida

I remember as a child going to the Easter Sunrise Service. We all dressed in out best. Dad drove to church. On the way there was a radio broadcast that pretended to be a newscast from first-century Jerusalem. It reported rumors that the tomb of Jesus had been found empty. More would be reported as the story developed. I was fascinated and wished I could stay in the car to hear the rest of the news.

Now I had heard the Easter story many times by that point in my young life, but it was the first time I really had an inkling of what it might have been like for the early followers of Jesus. The news would have leaked out in bits. The woman finding the empty tomb, Peter and John checking out the report. Confusion, disbelief, wonder, maybe even hope.

I think Luke captures the way people might have felt in his story of the two men on the road to Emmaus, who encounter Jesus but don’t recognize him until the moment he breaks bread with them. The real clincher for them, however, is their reflection on what had happened on the trip itself. “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road.”

Luke knew that the vast number of people would never see Jesus or in person or in vision. For most people the story of Jesus and the Scriptures would be the point of contact with him.

What does hearing the story of Jesus do to you?

Read Luke 24:13-35 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

We live in a broken world where we experience pain, hurt and suffering. Perhaps, you are hurting right now. Maybe, it is caused by the loss of a loved one. Whatever it is, being broken hearted is painful.

Throughout the ages, God’s children have expressed their pain in hymns and spiritual songs. They speak to us, as they share their trust in God through their sorrow.

Do you feel the closeness of God? Do you feel Him walking with you?

        “Just a closer walk with thee,
           Grant it, Jesus, is my plea;
           Daily walking close to thee,
           Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.”

Do you feel weak? Does the heartbreak of life overwhelm you?

        “I am weak but thou art strong:
           Jesus keep me from all wrong;
           I’ll be satisfied as long
           As I walk, let me walk close to thee.”

Do you feel alone? Do you have no one to share your burdens?

          “Through this world of toil and snares,
           If I falter, Lord, who cares?
           Who with me my burden shares;
           None but thee, dear Lord, none but thee.”*

Take comfort, you are not alone. Your loving Lord walks with you. Through your joys and through your sorrows, He loves you unconditionally.

Judy Originally posted May 2018

*Just a Closer Walk with Thee, North American traditional.

 You might think that’s a typo. “Surely he meant to say ‘sinners’”. Nnnnnope. I stand by what I wrote. It is intentional, and I believe it doesn’t have to be either/or. One is a saint who also sings, or to quote Martin Luther, “he who sings prays twice”. He also tells us that we are at the same time both saint and sinner. “Sing with all the saints in glory”…There are two departed saints I have in mind, and I am pretty sure they both sang praises to the Lord. They are Jorge Borgoglio and James Buffett.

An unlikely pairing? Guess so. But consider they were both Roman Catholic; altar boys, even! Both had lingering illnesses. Both were born in the Americas. Both progressive, liberal thinkers and activists. One, of course, ended up at the Vatican as Pope Francis. They both came from humble origin and never forgot it. Two humble men who sought very different ways to bring joy to all. 

I do not know if these two saints ever met each other. If they did, I am pretty sure laughter was involved, and perhaps one teaching the other a few guitar chords. Jimmy was a notorious scoundrel, irreverent to the core, yet never eschewing his faith in a providential God. He shared the name of a peanut farmer who invited him to his residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. His wife wore one of the singer’s tour T-shirts.

We have been told that in heaven everyone will know each other. That is a countless number of everyones! Are Jorge and Jimmy sharing stories of their life experiences? I imagine so. Sinners made saints by Jesus’ redemption. Resting eternally in blissful peace. Sitting Indian-style by the river of life. Maybe throwing out a fishing line. Basking in the unconditional love that surpasses understanding on this sphere we claim as home – for now.

Pastor Art

Because it’s Monday, I’m writing this message for you.  Because it’s Easter Monday, I hope it holds a special meaning.

Easter Monday is not widely celebrated like Easter Sunday, but still a significant day in the Christian tradition.  It’s an extension of the Easter festivities.  Many cultures have their own unique ways of honoring Easter Monday.  For some, it’s a day of rest and reflection, while others engage in community activities or church events or just enjoying the springtime weather after the solemnity of Lent and the joy of Easter Sunday.

Understanding the meaning of Easter Monday can enhance our appreciation of the Easter season.  The day encourages us to consider the impact of the Resurrection on our lives.   By embracing this day, perhaps we can find renewed strength in our faith.

A simple Easter song written by Shawna Belt Edwards speaks this message in childlike simplicity.  Because Jesus lives . . .I breathe, I see, I hope I live.  The rendition included here was recorded in 2017.   On this quiet Monday morning, I hope you’ll take time to listen and to ponder just how much Jesus’ “living” means to you.

Judy

It is not so difficult to fathom what the family, friends and followers of Jesus were thinking and feeling. They had witnessed His arrest, beatings and crucifixion. They believed in Him, trusting He was their longed-for Jewish Messiah.  His existence had been prophesied by the old prophets of many years past. These family, friends and followers must have been feeling lost yet found, sad yet blessed and scared yet amazed, a whole gambit of emotions.

Jesus’ death is recorded in all four Gospels…AND so, too, His resurrection story is found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  Alleluia! He is risen!  When visiting His tomb, the discovery is made that, indeed, the tomb was empty. Those mourning Jesus had to have been overwhelmed with epiphanies of ancient prophesies being fulfilled.

Alleluia. He is risen.  He is risen indeed.  Jesus died for our sins. He paid the price for US. What a joyous celebration surrounds this gift of pure LOVE!  Every Sunday is Easter Sunday from now on (a favorite Easter hymn of mine). We have the joy of celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. We have the privilege to know His love. We can shower Him with thanksgiving and praise.

Alleluia. He is risen.  Happy Easter

Jill

Tomorrow, we celebrate Easter, the most important day in Christianity which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. This event is central to the Christian faith and is considered a joyous occasion of hope and new life!  This message showed up in my Facebook feed this week and I don’t think it is a coincidence. It is simplistic, yet speaks volumes with its few succinct words.

Jesus cried.

Jesus felt hungry.

Jesus felt thirsty.

Jesus felt sleepy.

Jesus was abandoned.

Jesus was betrayed.

Jesus was tempted.

He knows very well how you feel now because He lived it first.

Because of His unconditional love for us, God sent his only Son, Jesus to die for us so we may have eternal salvation if we believe in His love and forgiveness and all that He is.

If you love the one who died on the cross to save our souls, say a big AMEN and Thanks be to God!!

Patty

Wow! Here it is Holy Week already. It must be my age but only yesterday was the Christmas Season. Soon it will be summer and Christmas right after that! Got to live in the moment. 

In this moment, I have an opportunity to reflect on my understanding of these enormous Holy Week events-the cornerstones of the Christian church. The gift of the New Law and the Body and Blood of Christ; the death of Christ on the Cross and the glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday, these mysteries can keep me occupied for long hours, but they remain mysteries. 

Often, I find that my emphasis is on Easter Sunday. This may happen because of the commercial importance placed on the holiday. However, Good Friday is the centerpiece-the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises to Isreal.  

But what about Maundy Thursday?  Here’s a new look at Maundy or Holy Thursday that I found in a blog written by Diana Butler Bass of The Cottage (printed on April 17, 2025). Rev. Bass contends that Maundy Thursday is the “First Feast of the Kingdom That Has Come. The first meal of the new age, the world of mutual service, reciprocity, equality, abundance, generosity, and unending thanksgiving.” Here we are no longer slaves or servants but friends of God; here we are in communion with God; here fear is gone because we are enclosed in God’s unconditionally loving arms! 

All these gifts were given to us before the sacrifice that Christ made in giving himself up for death on the Cross. The Cross creates drama and demands attention, but God set the new world into being with the actions of Holy Thursday. He gave us His Body and Blood! He gave us the New Law of Loving God above all and loving our neighbors as ourselves. These were new and radical laws, world-changing, you might say.  

The Sacrifice of the Cross cleans the slate and starts us on the new order. The order of loving our neighbors, of caring for our neighbors, of praying for our neighbors, no matter where in the world our neighbors live. 

Read a blog by Diana Butler Boss “The Last Supper is the First Feast” for another view of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. (https://open.substack.com/pub/dianabutlerbass/p/the-last-supper-is-the-first-feast)  

Remember God loves you unconditionally and demonstrates all the time!  

Terri 

Maundy Thursday is about the Last Supper. The account of it includes some very discomforting words. Jesus says to his disciples: “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” We know that’s Judas. Then again, “You will all become deserters.” And then to Peter, “this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” It is all about his followers abandoning him. It is hard facing things alone.

On Good Friday we hear even more disturbing words as Jesus prays from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” In my lifetime I’ve heard a number of sermons that try to explain away these words, but I think that’s a mistake. I believe Jesus dies as one who feels abandoned by God. He does that because he is fully human and now as he is about to experience death, he experience that all too human quality of abandonment. Where is God in all this?

It is important to me that Christ knew everything I experience as a human being. How would his teachings impact me if I could always answer him, “but you don’t know how it is”? He know’s exactly how it is. And so when at the Last Supper he commanded his followers to love one another, he knew how hard that was, how hard it is to love even those who turn against you.

Love, one another. But Lord, you don’t know how it is. Yes, my child I do. Love one another.

Read John 13:34 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

In my younger years I don’t remember much about the week between Palm Sunday and Easter.  Whether I just wasn’t paying attention (entirely possible!) or the churches I attended and/or played at did not really do anything between those two Sundays, it was more of an empty space between two very celebratory Sundays.  I knew what Maundy Thursday and Good Friday represented, but back in those days, it was usually just another week in my mind.

This all changed in 2020 when I played at my first Palm Sunday service at Joy.  Despite the fact it was literally four, maybe five people, counting me in the sanctuary livestreaming with an iPhone (thank you COVID-19!), it hit different. 

I think part of it is that we emphasize the mood shift through the course of our Palm Sunday service at Joy.  We journey from the triumphal entry to the darkest hours in human history, all in a span of 60-75 minutes.  Each of the days between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday gives me the time to contemplate the real impact of what Jesus did for us so many centuries ago.  I sometimes find myself on a razor’s edge emotionally – reading a Bible text or a devotional will send me down a mental “rabbit hole” contemplating what I could have possibly done to deserve this incredible gift of salvation.  The truth is I didn’t do anything.  I couldn’t do anything.  But his unconditional love did.

While that unconditional love did not cost me anything, there was still a cost associated with it.  Jesus bore the entirety of this cost – physically, emotionally, and I daresay even spiritually – so we would not have to bear it.

I recently discovered an infrequently used hymn, “Deep Were His Wounds,” penned in 1953 by a poet from Minnesota, William Johnson.  Composer Leland Sateren wrote the tune to go along with the text in 1958.  According to hymnary.org, the hymn has only made an appearance in 14 hymnals, and of those 14 appearances, only 5 of them have been since 1979.  Interestingly, one of the pre-1979 instances was in the Lutheran Book of Worship.  Despite its extreme rarity, the hymn itself is very impactful.

Deep were His wounds, and red, on cruel Calvary,
As on the cross He bled in bitter agony.
But they whom sin has wounded sore
Find healing in the wounds He bore.

He suffered shame and scorn and wretched, dire disgrace;
Forsaken and forlorn, He hung there in our place.
But all who would from sin be free
Look to His cross for victory.

His life, His all, He gave when He was crucified;
Our burdened souls to save, what fearful death He died!
But each of us, though dead in sin,
through Christ eternal life may win.

Below is a link to the hymn, which was sung at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs during a Good Friday service in 2019.

Silas

Navy Band San Francisco was my first duty station. I arrived at Naval Station Treasure Island, where the band was located, in January 1982. As a twenty-year-old, it was slightly mind-altering. I didn’t have a car and lived in the barracks on base. I knew I wanted to find a Lutheran church. St. Mark’s in S.F. was my choice. I could take the bus and only have to walk a couple of blocks (uphill, of course). My mind was fully blown by the context, all new to me in my life of churchgoing. Street people on the steps and wandering their way into worship. Diversity of ethnicity and sexual orientation. In the early days of the AIDS epidemic, I started off admittedly guarded and wary. I’ve never been one to make the first move toward someone either.

I had my first awakening and integration with gay people. I found them to be so hungry and thankful for God’s unconditional grace. I not only imagined what the church could be, I saw it lived in reality. The cultural backdrop of the city by the Bay (cue the Journey song “Lights”) included the first-time Super Bowl champion 49’ers, and protests at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in Berkeley. It was all radical and yet refreshingly liberating. I loved my tour of duty there so much that when offered the option of extending a year, I jumped on it.

God knows how to position us in the right place at the right time. My four and a half years there grew me up, helped my turtle head peek out from its’ shell, and opened me up to relate with people I might never have done on my own. My discipleship was given wings to fly. I realized that the unconditional love of Jesus introduced a judgment-free way of living.

Pastor Art