April 2015 – Pastor Eric’s Letter

We have been thinking about the things the early Christians did from Acts chapter 2. We thought about the sharing, the fellowship, the rejoicing and the praying. Now we think about worship: The first Christians spent much time at the temple, they broke bread and they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.

Since we are in Lent and looking forward to Holy Week and Easter, I’ll share some thoughts about our worship during this time. The earliest writing we have in the New Testament are the letters of the apostle Paul. It is interesting that he did not write about any of the teachings of Jesus or the healings and miracles. The only words of Jesus that he shares are the words Jesus said at the last supper, the words of institution. Other than that he mostly just refers to the death and resurrection of Jesus and what that means for our lives. In a sense, for Paul, everything important for the Christian life is found in what we learn and celebrate from Maundy Thursday through Easter Sunday.

So, this is a big deal. It reminds me that God has power over life and death. It reminds me that God uses death to bring life. It reminds me that God will bring me though death into life. This promise is made real every time I hear the story and every time I am given the body and blood of God’s very own son, Jesus. No matter how the powers of the world or of other spiritual forces try to destroy God and God’s love for me they will fail. The Holy Week worship journey brings me back home, year after year, to this foundation; my life in Christ. And yours too.

Eric Midthun

Associate Pastor, Circle of Faith Parish