Every year billions of people gather around the world to celebrate Easter. Typically, these gatherings are filled with celebration, color, joy, and flowers. The reason behind this is that Easter reminds us of the most important truth in all of reality- that Love wins. Just as a flower reminds us that the darkness of winter is almost over and that spring is near, in Jesus' resurrection, we have a hope that the brokenness of our lives and our world will be healed and overcome. We have a peace that can transcend our understanding because we know that even when our bodies fail us, we can have new life in Jesus.

So, on April 1st 2018, our eclectic and inclusive church packed the pub-theater that has become our sanctuary to proclaim what the prophet Isaiah says of the Messiah:

Isaiah 61:3:

The Lord has sent me
to comfort those who mourn,
    especially in Jerusalem.
He sent me to give them flowers
    in place of their sorrow,
olive oil in place of tears,
and joyous praise
    in place of broken hearts.

This year's Easter celebration was a special reminder of the new life that Christ brings. As we explored the resurrection account from the gospel Luke, we also reflected on Jesus' invitation to our world- to be people who are transformed by and live into the hope that sin, death, evil, and injustice will not get the last word, but that the empty tomb does by dispersing flowers throughout the room, helping us remember and mark all that Easter means.

Thanks everyone who helped make this such a special time! And thanks to Matt Evearitt who snapped photos of the festivities!

As we closed our time together with singing, we were sent off with a prayer:

"God of Resurrection,
May we be people who are transformed
by the ways you bring joy in our sorrow,
light in our darkness,
hope in our despair,
and flowers in our ashes.

Be with us now as we go forth to love and serve the world.

Amen"