Hello Gloria Dei,
At our staff meeting this week we read the Easter account from the book of Matthew. Within Matthew’s account of Jesus’ resurrection there is a lot to unpack. The stone rolled away. An angel sitting upon the stone. An empty tomb. Guards shaking in fear. An earthquake. Joy.
One aspect of the story that was intriguing to us is the mention of the two women who went to the tomb early that Sunday morning. One of them is identified as Mary Magdalene. The other woman is simply referred to as “The Other Mary”. We have reason to believe this was Mary, the mother of James and Joses, and the wife of a man named Clopas. This “Other Mary” is extremely important, as she is one of the first witnesses to the empty tomb and to the living Jesus. And her role as evangelist is not to be underestimated.
Within our staff meeting conversation, we wondered out loud if we all could be included in this grand story as “The Other Mary.” And maybe Matthew refers to her in this way so we can see ourselves in her. We too have been witnesses to the power of the living Christ in our lives. We too have the privilege and responsibility to give witness to the resurrected Jesus.
I pray for you and your family as you continue to move through Holy Week to the awe-inspiring celebration of Easter. Life wins over death. Hope wins over despair. Jesus has defeated the power of sin and death for you, for me, and for this world. It is truly the best news ever. And you, like “The Other Mary”, get to experience it and share it with the world.
Please see the remainder of Holy Week worship schedule below.
- Good Friday Worship: 6:00 p.m.
- Easter Saturday Celebration Worship with Holy Communion: 5:00 p.m.
- Easter Sunday Celebration Worship: 7:30, 8:30, 9:40, 10:50 a.m.
- (The 9:40 Service will be livestreamed)
Happy Easter!
Pastor Tim
