The Messenger - April 1, 2010 - Storms

Pastor's Corner

Our Hope in Storms

As I write this article, strong storms in New England have created record floods, tornadoes have been sighted in the South Central States, Denver is digging out from several feet of snow, and snow is even predicted for Southern California (in the San Gabriel Mountains). The last "punch" of winter is hitting hard. But, forecasters tell us, within the next few days, skies will clear again throughout the United States and storms will blow away. Light and warmth will bring us peace again.

As much as I hate the suffering that these late winter storms have caused, it's hard for me to imagine a "better" set of conditions for Holy Week. That's because the first Holy Week was full of "storms": political storms, emotional storms, and moral storms that led to the death of our savior, Jesus Christ. But, just as winter storms must inevitably subside in our day and time, so the animus, greed, and fear that led to Jesus death was finally forced to yield to the mighty grace of God.

To believe in resurrection is to believe that love is stronger than hate and hope is stronger than despair. To believe in resurrection is to believe that good will triumph over evil--even when we cannot see it--and new life will sprout again--even when the minions of death have done their very worst. It's so much more than the revivification of a corpse--it's the revivification of our life and faith and hope. A recent confession of the Presbyterian Church phrased it this way:

We declare that Jesus is Lord.
His resurrection is a decisive victory over the powers that deform and destroy human life.
His lordship is hidden--
the world appears to be dominated by people and systems that do not acknowledge his rule--
but His lordship is real.
It demands our loyalty and sets us free from the fear of all lesser lords who threaten us.
We maintain that ultimate sovereignty now belongs to Jesus Christ is every sphere of life.
Jesus is Lord!
He has been Lord from the beginning. He will be Lord at the end.
Even now, He is Lord.

(from "A Declaration of Faith"--1977).

That's why we have hope in the midst of life's great storms, and that's why we can join the Easter song:

Christ is risen! Raise your spirits from the caverns of despair.
Walk with gladness in the morning, see what love can do and dare.
Drink the wine of resurrection, not a servant, but a friend.
Jesus is our strong companion, joy and peace shall never end.

Christ is risen! Earth and heaven nevermore shall be the same.
Break the bread of new creation where the world is still in pain.
Tell its grim, demonic chorus: "Christ is risen! Get you gone!"
God the first and last is with us, Sing Hosanna, everyone!

I hope you will sing with me this Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m.

Youth's Corner

FUNDRAISER PROJECTS

The youth will be having a rummage sale on April 17th, so we will need all of your unwanted treasures to sell. Please make sure that all appliances/electronics are in working condition.
For donation pick-up, please contact Randi or Todd at (310) 832-9717.

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Editor's Corner

Road of Life

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The road to Success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs.

But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success.

                                                                                                                     --Author Unknown--

      Yesi

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=A92010 - First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro