Worship Series April 19 - May 17, 2020
As Christians, we experience the resurrection with joyful hallelujahs and exuberant hearts, but this wasn’t the experience of Jesus’ community, this wasn’t the original response of those who first encountered the empty tomb. Their response to the resurrection was fear, confusion, and disbelief. In Mark’s Gospel, the women were so afraid after finding the tomb empty that they told no one. In Mark and Luke, the men didn’t believe the women’s story of the empty tomb. The first encounters of the risen Christ were awkward, and at times the disciples didn’t even recognize Jesus.
The story of the resurrection is joyous, but there is more to it than hallelujahs and Easter lilies. How do we experience Easter while stuck inside our homes, in the midst of a pandemic? How do we experience Easter as we watch the daily news for the current covid-19 death toll? How do we experience Easter when we still seem to be in the midst of Lent – waiting, anticipating, and longing for life to change?
How? We look to the disciples’ experience of the resurrection, and the fullness and depth of those first post-resurrection encounters and experiences. Perhaps this year, we will see a bit of our life reflected in their lives.
Sunday, April 19
Scripture: John 20:19-23 (Luke 24:36-43)
Sermon Title: Locked Behind Fear
Sunday, April 26
Scripture: John 20:24-29
Sermon Title: A Little Bit of Thomas
Sunday, May 3 – Communion
Scripture: Luke 24:28-35
Sermon Title: What’s in a Meal?
Sunday, May 10 – Mother’s Day
Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 2:15
Sermon Title: Biblical Motherhood
Sunday, May 17 – Graduation Sunday
Scripture: Luke 24:13-27
Sermon Title: Nobody Likes Change
Week 1: April 19, 2020
Sermon: "
Locked Behind Fear,
" Rev. Jessica Rooks
Week 2: April 26, 2020
Sermon: "
A Little Bit of Thomas,
" Rev. Jessica Rooks
Week 3: May 3, 2020
Sermon: "
What's In a Meal?
" Rev. Jessica Rooks
Week 4: May 10, 2020
Sermon: "
Biblical Motherhood
" Rev. Jessica Rooks
Week 5: May 17, 2020
Sermon: "
Nobody Likes Change," Rev. Jessica Rooks
Week 6: May 24, 2020
Sermon: "
An Ascension to Remember," Rev. Jessica Rooks