Christ is risen, and you are overthrown.
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen.
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice.
Christ is risen, and life reigns.
Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave.
Orthodox Easter Pascha

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

We are in the first week of the Great 50 Days, the season of Easter. From now until Pentecost Sunday, we enter into the time that commemorates Jesus’ post-resurrection appearance on earth, until the Ascension 40 days later, and the days following, in which the disciples waited for the promised Holy Spirit.

The Great 50 days are commemorated by the presence of the Pascal Candle, which is lit each Sunday, reminding us that the Light of Christ has come into the world. We light the other candles from this greater flame, in order to remember that the light within us comes from the Light of Christ.

Christ is Risen! And with that rising comes the promise of new life. It is this new life, this life in which we have access to the very holiest place – the presence of God himself – that we celebrate during this season. For once and for all time, Christ paved the way into the very heart of God.

Christ Our Passover

Alleluia.
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us;
There fore let us keep the feast,
Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil,
But with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.

Christ being raised from the dead will never die again;
Death no longer has dominion over him.
The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all’
Butt the life he lives, he lives to God.
So also consider yourselves dead to sin,
And alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.

Christ has been raised from the dead,
The first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death,
By a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die,
So also in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
From Morning Prayer, BCP 83.

Debra's Midweek Meditation
Resurrection Witness
"But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."
Acts 5:29-32

The Book of Acts has often been called the gospel of the Holy Spirit. Jesus' ministry continues, as the apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit, move into the surrounding country with courage and power and deep faithfulness.

We are asked to join the apostles in witness to the power of Christ.

We do this by being present to the signs of Resurrection that surround us on every side.

New life springing from the earth, or new life springing from the heart of human beings,
testifies to the new life that is longing to burst forth in each of us.

Bursting forth from the tomb is the template for us of God's desire.

Jesus did not walk through crucifixion, death and resurrection because he needed to,
He did it because we needed it.

We needed a new vision of how life can be-
a new vision of what love is about.

Easter morning I awoke early.

It had been a late night and my house was full of visitors.

The dawn was just rising and I was quietly moving about in the kitchen needing the first cup of coffee.

As I looked out the window I saw the morning moon and flying across the face of that moon a dark bird-graceful and at ease.

I watched its serene progress across the sky and my spirit joined that flight for a moment.

I breathed in the scene of quiet and soft light and flying-
this was, for me, a prayer of peace and a sign of the reality of Resurrection.

Let us spend our second week of Easter looking for signs of the Resurrection.

The Lord has Risen!

Blessings,
Debra

Easter Wings

Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store,
Though foolishly he lost the same,
Decaying more and more,
Till he became most poor:
With thee
O let me rise
As Larks, harmoniously,
And sing this day thy victories:
Then shall the fall further the flight in me.

My tender age in sorrow did begin:
And still with sicknesses and shame
Thou didst so punish sin,
That I became
Most thin.
With thee
Let me combine,
And feel this day thy victory:
For, if I imp my wings on thine,
Affliction shall advance the flight in me.
- George Herbert

Daily Morning Prayer:
http://www.episcopalchurchingarrettcounty.org/churchonthewebpage.htm

This Week at St. James:

Friday: May Newsletter deadline; EFM
Saturday: Pastoral Care Conference
Sunday: 11:45 Inquirer’s Class
Monday: 10:00 CS Lewis Book Study begins: The Great Divorce
Tuesday: 7:30 Vestry meeting
Wednesday: 8:30 Healing Eucharist; 9:30 Bible Study; 7:00 Pre-Convention meeting at Cathedral of the Incarnation

Prayers Etc.

For those on our prayer list:
Christy K.; Alden; Martina; Rob; The Hamill Family
Brittany; Andy B.; Mac K.; Donna and Jim; Owen B.
Annabelle; Jody; Thomas; Pat; Sue; Alouise
Paul; David; Ray; Jeffrey; Mike H.; Matt S.
Judy E.; Rosemary; Clem B.; Barbara W.; Nancy; Lori
Jenny W.; Maia; Linda K.; Mike P.
For those who are deployed and their families.
For peace in the Middle East.
For our seminarian, Laura and her husband, Lyle.

In Closing:

Almighty God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. AMEN
Collect for Easter Vigil

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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