God was moving this Easter!
Some moments are worth stopping for and taking time to thank God for the impossible, incredible things we see Him doing. This past Easter Sunday was one of those moments. I have barely been able to stop beaming all week!
Nine people from four households got baptized Sunday! Midweek last week I knew of six planning to be baptized. The prayer team was praying and fasting, asking for God to move three more to get baptized. I took a trip to Salvation Army for extra clothes to make sure we had enough and printed out three extra baptism certificates with blanks in the names–asking and hoping that God would lead three more to get baptized.
God did it!
Each of the nine has a sweet story of God intervening in their lives and winning their allegiance. What a privilege for us to bear witness to God moving in power among us!
For those of you who were there–did you notice the power of the gospel spreading through families? An older sister baptizing a younger sister. Parents baptizing their children. There is something so powerful and moving watching faith travel through bonds of love. It stirred my imagination and made me wonder whether people in my own circles who seem far from Christ might actually be closer than I realize.
If you weren't with us last Sunday, you can always go back to re-watch the service on the livestream. Baptisms start around the 1:39 mark.
And if that weren't enough for one day, together, we gave $15,500 in our Easter offering–all of which will go to the Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights. What a testament to God's special concern for the foreigner and oppressed. These funds will bring much-needed relief to dear ones in Washtenaw County who've immigrated and are facing serious threats and challenges. Children will be fed, rent payments will be made, and legal services will be provided through your generosity.
Let's celebrate this step toward a world where everyone gets access to what they need to flourish as God intends, and let's continue humbly asking God how we might leverage our lives and build systems rooted in justice and mercy.
As we move into Eastertide–the 7 week period between Easter and Pentecost–we'll be starting a new sermon series we're calling Anchored. Each week, we will spend time anchoring ourselves to the person and practices of Christ, that we might be a deeply rooted people in a time of great turbulence and suffering.
If you join us in-person on Sundays during Eastertide, you can look forward to some changes in our communion practice. Gluten free bread and juice will be available along with the pre-packaged elements. You'll hear different "why's" behind communion and things to consider when partaking in communion each week. In a world that is increasingly disembodied and disconnected, communion is a weekly invitation to return to our bodies and encounter the risen Christ.
I'd invite you to pause now and to take a moment to pray. Let's thank God for His faithfulness and power at work among us. Let's pray for encouragement and endurance for the 9 people who got baptized Sunday (Daija, RJ, Donnell, Dior, De'Kwon, Zach, Brielle, Lily and Jack). Let's ask God to bless the money we'll send to WICIR and to bring justice for all who've immigrated to the U.S. Let's ask God to give us faith, endurance, and creativity for the journey ahead together.
As you pray, if you sense anything–words, images, Scriptures or encouragement for our church–I would love to know. Please send them my way (hannah@a2cc.org).
with you on the journey,
Pastor Hannah