The Good Shepherd

What a joy that the Easter season continues seven weeks!

 1. In the upper room, Christ shows himself to the disciples and brings peace

2. On the road to Emmaus, Christ appears in the breaking of the bread

3. With the disciples, Jesus is the Good Shepherd

4. For the early church, Christ is the cornerstone

5. In his final words to the disciples, Jesus promises his presence

6. As he ascends, Jesus commissions, blesses and gives the Holy Spirit

7. On Pentecost, the disciples witness the power of Christ’s resurrection

These thrilling resurrection stories fill Easter with joy and hope, new life and anticipation, especially for those among us who may experience fear or doubt, who may be sick, lonely, or grieving.

In Metro Chicago, we’re preparing for a new bishop to lead us into the future (Bishop Election – Metropolitan Chicago Synod ELCA), and at Grace, you’re preparing for a new pastor to lead you into the future -- and out into the neighborhood. No doubt you’ve been praying for the discernment of the call committee and candidates. Are there other “living in the resurrection” ways the Holy Spirit is encouraging you to prepare for a new pastor and invite new people? Do any of the seven themes above inspire you to try something new?

Remembering the disciples who don’t recognize Jesus on the road to Emmaus until he breaks the bread, I wonder, would passersby more easily recognize Grace as the vital congregation it is and say, “Let’s worship there!” if they saw the front parking lot full of cars and people streaming in the front door every Sunday? Likewise, I wonder, would the folks scrolling the internet for a church more easily recognize Grace as the vital congregation it is and say, “Let’s worship there!” if they saw the pews full of people? (Only the first five pews show on Zoom.) 

There isn’t an Easter story about disciples moving to the front, but here’s a promise from my ordination service that the front is where God is!

The LORD went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. (Exodus 13:21-22).

With you in the joy and hope of the resurrection no matter where you park or sit,

Pastor Robin