A Message from Pastor Kaji

 

 

Resurrection Sunday was phenomenal! I am trying to remember a time in worship when we have had such an incredible spirit. Please thank your staff and worship leaders for all of the hard work and dedication that they put in to making a fitting celebration of Jesus possible.
 
Meanwhile, today and tomorrow, the church is taking the steps for Ashley Ballard’s homegoing celebration. Even today, Ashleigh’s family, friends, neighbors, classmates and other loved ones are at the church for her viewing. If you are able to join us tomorrow morning for her funeral homegoing, hope that you can make it.
 
Finally, we are back this Sunday for even more, because remember that resurrection is a way of life, and Easter is a season, not just a day. I can’t wait to see you and worship.

 

SCRIPTURE
John 20:19–31 (Year W, p. 300):

19 When it was evening on that day, the first of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples were closed for fear of the Judeans, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you all.” 20 And having said this, Jesus showed them his hands and his side, and then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Messiah. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you all, just as the Living God has sent me, so I send you all.” 22 When Jesus had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit; 23 if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve who was called Didymus (the Twin) was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Messiah.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

26 And within eight days his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, though the doors were shut, and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you all.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Bring your hand and put it in my side and do not doubt, rather believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, saying, “My Savior and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Was it because you have seen me that you believed? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may come to believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.