April 25, 2025
Dear church,
My note to you this week is simply a note of gratitude.
Holy Week is a week in the church year that immerses us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It’s the story we remember during Holy Week; it’s also the story we get to keep telling and embodying with our lives here and now. One of the true privileges of pastoring a community through Holy Week is that we get to see the community of Grace tell and embody the story – together. On Palm Sunday, we processed with palms – together. On Maundy Thursday – we washed feet and communed at the table – together. On Good Friday, we prayed, sang, and knelt at the foot of the cross – together. On Holy Saturday, we sat in the in-between – together. And on Easter morning, we proclaimed with joy, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” – together.
So today’s note is a note of thanks for every single person who helped us tell the story of Holy Week in such a meaningful and beautiful way. Everyone who worshiped with us – in-person or online – shaped the experience into what it was. And everyone who gave of their time, care, and skill, behind the scenes and up in front, helped us create what would never be possible if we led it alone. From readers and musicians to ushers and communion servers, from those who were willing to have their feet washed to those who were willing to come forward and kneel at the cross, from those who hung up the Alleluia posters all around our church to those who stood at the welcome table and introduced themselves to visitors, from those who spent hours at church on Saturday getting the sanctuary ready for Easter to those who helped with all the behind-the-scenes set-up and take-down. We are church – together. We tell the story, every year, together.
Thank you for being a community that so generously shows up and participates. Thank you for living as Easter people in the world! We are grateful to serve among you.
With much gratitude,
Pastor Sarah and Pastor Reed
Every Friday, we send an email to the congregation and any others who would like to learn more about the Grace community. The last four Friday emails are posted below.