Ordinary Resurrections

The theme of the Easter sermon this year was Ordinary Resurrections, the title of Jonathan Kozol's latest book in which he describes the simple ways that people rise above their fear and loneliness to embrace life. This season is a time to join Jesus' disciples in their sense of awe of, amazement at and jubilation for the Resurrection. It is a time to embrace the new life that Jesus came to bring.

This season our church celebrates ordinary resurrections, present and soon to come. We welcomed new life into our church family in the persons of Bill Brooks, Jessica Brooks, Robert Thompson and Virginia Williams.
On Easter, Beverly Cain and Mary Santora joined the list of member candidates.

On Saturday, May 12 , we will worship and fellowship with some of our Baptist sisters and brothers at the conference of the American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Coast at Shell Ridge Community Church in Walnut Creek. I will be leading one of the workshops. The conference theme, A Place at the Table, signifies the resurrection of historic Baptist principles that have been crucial to our Christian spiritual heritage. Just days after our Thirdly Business Meeting on May 20th, we will gather for three consecutive Wednesday evenings (May 23d, 30'h and June 6') to explore ways we can renew and deepen our shared mission with faith communities in San Jose. We will meet with the staff of People Acting in Community Together (PACT) to learn about the work of hundreds of individuals from churches in the area who are transforming their communities.

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the, week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you. " After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,"Receive the Holy Spirit." John2O:l9-22(NRSV)

The Eastertide season will end with the celebration of Pentecost - Sunday, June 3d. This Sunday will also be the day our church observes Youth & Children's Sunday. Our youth and children will be leading our congregation in the worship experience that day with the theme: Is It Good For Our Kids? A dialogue will follow our worship service between the pastor and the parents, guardians and mentors of our children and youth about the future of our ministry to families at Grace. If we ever felt alone in our ministry efforts and afraid to take some risks in response to God's call, now is the time to "rise above" our fears and loneliness to embrace the Good News of new life in Christ for each of us.