the cassock
I attended Easter Service at Russ United Methodist on the south side of Chicago. I have to admit it was nice being back in church. The service was two hours long – not used to that except in black churches that have that baptist thing going through them. But it was enjoyable.
Thank goodness I have that smartphone to tell me how to get back home because I did manage to discombobulate myself. I cannot stand the Dan Ryan Expressway, all the turns and curves make me crazy. Give me the Eisenhower – straight lines with an occasional turn. That’s what I’m talking about.
During the service, Harriett asked if folks wanted to share what the resurrection story meant to people in their own lives. For me, the significance of it is found in a bible verse I first heard in college when a friend named Cindy stated it was her favorite: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live through faith through the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:19-21.
No matter who we are, no matter what are greatest gifts and our greatest flaws, no matter if we get the two of those confused or know how or when to use them, if we think we have something to offer or not, if other people think we’re too old, too young, too dark, too poor or even too rich and privileged, we are all perfectly made to give praise to the glory of God.
There are many sermons to give on Easter Sunday but we are an Easter people; we can always renew and restore and take root in the resurrected Christ. That being the case, we can do more than sit and listen to a sermon – we can be a living one.
