|
|
| This first week of Easter, as we continue to navigate our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are posting Scripture readings from two sources for your spiritual reflection and encouragement: 1) the selected Gospel texts originate from the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer (Louisville, KY:Westminster/John Knox, 1993); 2) the Home Daily Bible Readings for Monday through Saturday are selected in support of the Sunday lesson in the Uniform Lessons Series, ©Spring 2020.
Do you know someone that would benefit from these emails? Please forward this link to friends, family, and your church. |
| | | The Resurrection of Jesus
Mark 16:1-8, NRSV
16 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid
Mordecai Refuses to Bow to Haman
Esther 3:1-6, NRSV
3 After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the officials who were with him. 2 And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and did obeisance to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or do obeisance. 3 Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” 4 When they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai’s words would avail; for he had told them that he was a Jew. 5 When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or do obeisance to him, Haman was infuriated. 6 But he thought it beneath him to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, having been told who Mordecai’s people were, Haman plotted to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.
|
| | A meditation on Romans 8:28
By Rev. Odette Lockwood-Stewart will begin the position of Interim Senior Pastor at the American Church in Paris in July, 2020.
with every breath
breathing in
and into
the peace
of Christ
with every breath
breathing in
and into
the life
of stranger
of neighbor
of all creation
with every breath
deep
shallow
restful
fitful
I breathe
into the
beauty
the web
of life
We rest in love
We rest in God
We rest in light
We rest in darkness
Re-commit
life
breath
word
silence
work
re-creation
to the love of God
known
in Christ Jesus.
Re-turn
to learn
where Christ leads
to follow
to lead
to serve
in this
pandemic
Blessed are those
who know their need of God
|
| | Want to know how these emails are created? Click here to find out more.
|
|
|
| Serving as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ in the public square since 1950, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) brings together 38 member communions and more than 40 million Christians in a common expression of God's love and promise of unity. |
| | | |
