Open Enrollment for health insurance ends in 5 days. Click here to learn more.
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

  • Voices
  • About
  • Programs
    • Ecumenical Immigration Alliance
      • Ideas for Action
      • Sign Our Statement
      • The NC Sanctuary Coalition
      • Immigration Bible Study
      • Contact
    • NC Interfaith Power & Light
      • NCIPL Overview
      • Faith in Action NCIPL
      • NCIPL Articles
      • NCIPL Resources
      • Upcoming Events for NCIPL
      • Contact NCIPL
    • Partners in Health & Wholeness
      • PHW Staff
      • Mini-Grants
      • PHW Collaborative
      • The Opioid Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
      • PHW Articles
      • FAQs
  • Priorities
    • Christian Unity
    • Gun Violence Prevention
    • Farmworkers
    • Interfaith Collaboration
    • Legislative Advocacy
    • NC No Torture
    • NC Sanctuary Coalition
    • The Opioid Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
    • Peace
    • Public Education
  • Events
  • Resources
    • Publications & Reports
    • Raleigh Report
    • Lectionary
    • Sermons
    • Newsletter Archive
  • Donate
  • Show Search

Search NC Council of Churches

Subscribe to Updates from the NC Council of Churches

 
 
 
 
 
Cancel
Hide Search

Lenten Reflection Guide: Easter Sunday

Lindsay Barth, Office Manager · April 1, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Excerpted from the NC Council of Churches Lenten Guide, “Journey to Justice” 

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. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 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. 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.” 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.

Mark 16:1-8

____________________________________________________________________________________

Every year as Easter approaches, I remember my childhood. My family always attended a sunrise service followed by traditional Sunday worship. I would wake up so excited to finally show off my new Easter Sunday dress at church, spend the day with family and friends, and, of course, snack on some goodies from the Easter Bunny.

What I remember most vividly, though, is the sunrise service. It always took place in a small garden right outside the church with a perfect view of the sun as it began to crest the horizon. I can still feel the growing excitement, building as the morning progressed. The culmination of my excitement came during traditional worship as everyone united to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.

Reflecting on these memories, I realize that over time this excitement has faded. As I have grown older and experienced sadness, discomfort, and fear, I find myself searching for reasons to celebrate. In times of turmoil, wreaked with fear and hatred, what is there to praise? During these times when I feel my faith wavering, I turn to the scripture.

In Mark 16:1–8, Mary Magdalene goes to Jesus’ tomb only to find that he is no longer there. When the angel tells her not to be afraid because Jesus has risen, this deepens her sadness and fear even more—who is this stranger, and why should she trust him? Later in John 20:11–18, Mary Magdalene’s despair quickly turns to joy when Jesus appears to her. Her uneasiness is comforted knowing that Christ will have eternal peace.

Mary Magdalene’s emotions echo the feelings of many of us living in the present day. Another year passes and we pray things will get better, only to feel more hopeless. People keep repeating that it is time to move on, but why should we? Politically and socially, decisions are made that are rooted in anger and hatred. What is there to praise?

It is during these times when we experience life’s most precious moments. Over the past couple months, I have collaborated with people, organizations, and communities that I never expected to encounter. Despite all the chaos, I recognize the love rooted in our communities can overpower the hate, and I am filled with hope again.

Prayer: Gracious God, let us remember in darkness there is light, in pain we find strength, and in heartache we find peace. Grant us the patience to follow your word and trust in your guidance. Bless us with the courage to respond to hate with love. Amen.

Filed Under: Blog, Homepage Featured Tagged With: Worship

Lindsay Barth, Office Manager

About Lindsay Barth, Office Manager

Lindsay is a native of Western North Carolina. She continued her education at UNC Chapel Hill where she studied Communications and Hispanic Literature and Culture. While at UNC, Lindsay realized her passion for public health education through working with a student-led nonprofit called GlobeMed. She also had the opportunity to intern with Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry, a crisis management nonprofit in her hometown community. When she’s not at work, you can catch her playing the flute, reading, exploring new places, and watching UNC basketball.

Reader Interactions

More Like This

Lenten Reflection Guide: Good Friday
Lenten Reflection Guide: Maundy Thursday
Lenten Reflection Guide: Palm Sunday

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Anonymous comments or comments that target individuals will not be posted (please include your first and last name). All comments must be on topic and respectful. Comments will not be posted until they have been reviewed by a moderator. Comments do not reflect the positions of the NC Council of Churches.

Footer

Contact

NC Council of Churches
27 Horne St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 828-6501
info@ncchurches.org

Featured Resource

Lenten Reflection Guide: Easter Sunday

Latest Tweets

This #GivingTuesday hear from our Executive Director, the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, about how you can support our work. Donate today at ncchurches.org/donat…! bit.ly/2szKanD #GivingTuesday2019

Last week

The #ClimateStrike showed us that our youth are the future & there is no stopping their momentum: bit.ly/356qvur @NCIPL @NCIPLYL pic.twitter.com/jFio…

About 2 months ago

"A faith group hopes to get people talking about the importance of public schools, as some counties continue to see a rise in charter-school openings and drop in public-school enrollment." bit.ly/2ne40m7 #PublicEducation #PublicSchools

About 2 months ago

Just a reminder that some #ncga elected officials will not even listen to their constituents -- and for that they will answer. #CloseTheGapNC #HealthCareCantWait twitter.com/healthac…

About 2 months ago

#CloseTheGapNC so one has to experience the pain & grief that Robin, Cassandra, and Lynne go through every day. #HealthCareCantWait twitter.com/healthac…

About 2 months ago

Follow @ncchurches

Latest Tweets

RT @FFThriving Rev. Jessica Stokes with @healthandfaith writes about the important role faith communities can play in understanding trauma and building resilience: bit.ly/34gfRA2. She will co-facilitate our breakout session on ACES at the 2020 Faithful Families Summit. Join us! pic.twitter.com/LMc3…

About a month ago

RT @UN Suicide is a global public health issue that affects all ages, sexes & regions of the world. On Thursday's World #MentalHealth Day, find out what you can do to help save a life: bit.ly/2MnEq6E via @WHO pic.twitter.com/UYOa…

About 2 months ago

This is just a friendly reminder to sign-up for a breakfast in response to the #OpioidCrisis. This is a great opportunity to learn about the work going on in our state and local resources you can connect with. Sign-up on our event page! bitly.is/31OH1Nt #harmreduction #NC pic.twitter.com/veEp…

About 2 months ago

How does faith connect to our relationship with God? How does our faith guide us in addressing the health issues of our communities? Join us on Oct. 25 in Eastern NC as e discuss the theological connections to our health wholeness. bit.ly/eastNC #faith #health #NC pic.twitter.com/F3Wk…

About 2 months ago

#BreastCancerAwarnessMonth twitter.com/HealthCa…

About 2 months ago

Follow @healthandfaith

Latest Tweets

RT @GretaThunberg School strike week 68. They say more than 500 000 people showed up tonight in Madrid! #fridaysforfuture #climatestrike #schoolstrike4climate #cop25 pic.twitter.com/YAxP…

About 2 days ago

RT @StrikeClimate “We can’t go on like this; it is not sustainable that children skip school and we don’t want to continue – we would love some action from the people in power. People are suffering and dying today. We can’t wait any longer,” @GretaThunberg. Pic: 500k #ClimateStrike in Madrid. pic.twitter.com/gyRQ…

About 2 days ago

RT @averydavislamb Out here at the Durham #ClimateStrike today, striking because the climate crisis is a moral and spiritual crisis. pic.twitter.com/oqK1…

About 2 days ago

RT @IPLdmv #FaithsForFuture showing up for #FireDrillFriday! pic.twitter.com/ITpn…

About 2 days ago

RT @solo_syn_ “I want the leaders of the world to stop burning my future!” Today is my 52nd week of climate striking! Today I gave my very first speech at the Seattle City Hall. #FridaysForFuture #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/N1MS…

About 2 days ago

Follow @ncipl

Latest Tweets

Copyright © 2019 NC Council of Churches · All Rights Reserved · Website by Tomatillo Design · Hosted by WP Engine