Easter people

As you know, we Christians celebrate Easter as a season, not just a day. It's a season that lasts seven weeks, marking the period during which the Risen Christ appeared to his disciples at various times and locations, before disappearing into "the heavens" with a promise that the Spirit would soon be poured out upon them, empowering them to carry on Christ's ministries.

It's a season that is reflected in our hymns, like "Easter People, Raise Your Voices," with its reminder that "every day to us is Easter."

This Sunday, we'll be invited to be "Easter People" through our care for all creation, with an Environmental Stewardship theme in worship, and a guest speaker at 9:30 and 11:00, Jan Roehll, of the DuPage Conservation Foundation, who will give us insights into how the gift of nature impacts our spirits, as well as practical tips for stewardship of our natural resources.

We'll be invited to be "Easter People" in our care for the very vulnerable among us, as we welcome Ginger McKee of the Cunningham Children's Home, part of the United Methodist Women's ongoing mission work, who will be worshipping with us and presenting at a lunchtime program about the life-changing ministry of Cunningham.

And we'll be invited to be "Easter People" through singing and receiving gifts of joyful music celebrating God's love - at our Sunday morning services, and at the special Chapel Choir Tour Home Concert at 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon in the Sanctuary.

Here's the good news - Easter's not over - it's just beginning! See you Sunday!