Day 387 | Saturday, 10 April 2021

Day 387 - Audio Version

---

Day 387 | Saturday, 10 April 2021

 As the Easter season continues, I offer the following for the season.

 A Beginning:
“The sound of the trumpet still lingers, the smell of lilies hovers in the air, the candy is not quite gone, it still is Easter.  Though the fanfare has died down, it still is Easter.  In the ordinary and routine, it still is Easter.  The pulse of hope, the signs of new life, the spirit of peace, the uncontainable joy, the urge to sing - it still is Easter.”

 An Easter Season Invocation
“We are still basking in the glory and joy of Christ's Easter victory, O God. The stone was rolled away! The "stones" which have trapped us - our worries, fears, anxieties, troubles of various sorts - need not threaten us. We pray that your power that raised Christ from the dead will also raise us out of darkness and sorrow. Amen.”

 A Prayer of Confession for the Easter Season
Redeeming God, you bring life out of dead ends, and hope in the midst of despair. Forgive us for doubting that you are still at work even in the darkest hour, even in the most painful moments. Forgive us for our hesitant action, our cautious compassion, our two frequent reluctance. Redeeming God, teach us a stillness that leads to acts of kindness and clarity of vision. Shaping us a trust that leads to faithful witness and bold compassion. Form us in your love that loosens our worry and eases our anger. Make us true disciples- filled with love, acting with justice, and living out hope. Amen

 An Easter Season Prayer
“Raise us, O God, from the pits that threaten to imprison us. Help us find a way out. Open the doors on our tombs, small and large, and hasten the day when we walk as risen people, able to live fully in your magnificent and sure salvation. Amen.”

 An Easter Season Affirmation of Faith
“We believe in God - who brings Easter into our Good Friday worlds, who brings sunshine after rain, hope in the midst of pain and tenderly calls our name.

We believe in Jesus Christ - the risen Savior, not locked in some cold-tomb past, but alive and appearing to the women who followed him, the disciple who fled from him, to Paul, who persecuted him, and to us who seek him today. Christ is risen, and we can know that and experience his presence.

We believe in the Holy Spirit - the invisible presence of God at work in our world bringing reconciliation instead of hatred, creating communities of support in the face of senseless tragedy.

We believe God is at work in the church and in us, creating a center of compassion, a fellowship of forgiveness, a gathering of grace; where joy glistens like dew on spring flowers and love flows like a mighty stream. Alleluia! Amen.”
​
 Today:  What has brought you Easter Joy this past week?