A note from Pastor Travis 4/21/22

Dear FUMC Family and Friends,

Happy Easter!

In the rhythms of the church, Easter is not marked by a day, but by a season. For 50 days, from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate Easter and the gift of the new life that we receive from Christ through the resurrection. 

Upon being reminded of this, your first instinct may be to say, “Don’t we do this every Sunday throughout the year?” This is true. Every Sunday is a little Easter; that is why Sundays don’t count in the calculating of the 40 days of Lent. Every Sunday is a feast day of the resurrection. However, throughout the year, we focus our attention on different aspects of Jesus’ life and our response as Christians.

During Advent, we remember the world’s need of Christ and the longing of people for a redeemer. During the Christmas season, we celebrate the blessings of the birth of our Savior. In the season after the Epiphany, also called Ordinary Time, we focus on Jesus’ teachings and miracles, hearing the invitation to become disciples. In Lent, we consider the brokenness of our world and our lives, and we seek to repent, that we may be more faithful disciples. Easter is the time of celebrating God’s redemptive love. Pentecost is when we celebrate the receiving of the Holy Spirit and meditate on our responsibility to be the Church in and for the world. We move from being disciples (those who learn) to becoming apostles (those who share the Good News). In the season following Pentecost, again called Ordinary Time (though Methodists used to call it Kingdomtide), we focus on living for Christ in the world. 

Taken together, these seasons create a cycle that tells the story of faith and of God’s redemptive love and purpose.

Pentecost, and, if you will forgive me, Kingdomtide, are ahead of us. However, before we consider the important work of these seasons, take some time to celebrate the joy of Easter!

Happy Easter!

Pastor Travis