HAPPY EASTER!
Greetings my Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I trust this message finds you, your family and loved ones well as God helps us through this COVID-19 crisis.
It gives me great joy to greet you this “unique" 2020 Holy Week. This week culminates the season of Lent, which began Ash Wednesday. Lent is the season when Christians reflect on their lives and prepare for Jesus’ last days on the earth, Easter and His Resurrection.
Reading through one of my devotions, Disciplines 2020 (published in 2019), I was deeply touched by a few statements by Kathleen Stevens, one of the writers, who said, “Although we anticipate the celebration of Easter, this week’s readings remind us to slow down and walk through the suffering of Jesus . . . If we fail to understand why he had to die, then we fail to grasp fully the power of his resurrection.”
Who knew at the time of this publication that the COVID-19 would take us beyond a “slow down,” to a “Shut Down” around the world? Acknowledging that God is greater than COVID-19 and that God will see us through this crisis, we have good reason to celebrate Jesus as Kathleen suggested.
I am grateful for technology which keeps us connected via various means of communication until we meet again. Hopefully, you will participate in the Holy Week Services offered by your local church. For additional services please visit the NYAC website, our Facebook page, or our YouTube channel for Easter Worship Services.
You are invited to join me in a few memory makers for this 2020 Holy Week
- Reflect on your most memorable Holy Week – Give thanks to God!
- For God’s gift of life to you, your family and loved ones – Give thanks to God!
- For freedom, access and technology to join and participate in worship (phone, Zoom, Face Book, TV etc.) – Give thanks to God!
- As we “slow down and walk through the suffering of Jesus,” pray and ask God to relieve the suffering and heal the victims of the COVID -19 pandemic, as well as other illnesses – Prayers for healing!
- Pray that you are doing God’s will in this crisis – Prayers for discernment and discipleship.
“Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among nations, I am exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
HAPPY EASTER! HE IS RISEN INDEED! AMEN!
