John 15:11
I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will over flow!
Today on my Google feed popped up pictures from 3 years ago today. I don’t always click on those pop ups, but today I did. What a joy it brought to my heart. There were pictures from our Holy Humor Sunday 3 years ago. I saw pictures of our youth blowing bubbles in the service and selling refreshments in the sanctuary like the vendors at ball games. Marty teaching our children about bubble prayers and balloons around the alter. A smile came to my face as I remembered that celebration. Then there were pictures from 15 years ago when my family went to Walt Disney World and joy and gratitude overflowed in my heart. I looked at the pictures of my sons who were then in High School and grade school at the time. The memories rolled over me like a wave. It is good to remember the joyous times and it is important to live with joy. We need to remember those joyous moments as a church family too. This past Easter will be one of those joyous moments that I will remember. It was such a joy to celebrate with our church family here on the church campus, in the sanctuary, and online during worship. To celebrate the joy of our risen Lord!
As we start to open up from our lockdown, we will have many joyous moments. While we are moving forward, we are all a little uncertain how things will go. What we can be certain about is that we can live into the hope and promises of God. That we can live in joy and gratitude for the little things that we have missed (and the big things too). We can live out our lives as resurrection people filled with joy and hope because of what our Lord has done for us. We can be a cup overflowing with love and joy.
Blessings,Â
Suzanne Morgan
Gracious and Loving God, create in us a heart that hears your laughter and your joy. Help us tosee what delights you and help us to delight in what warms your heart. Help us to accept thegrace and mercy that you have given to us and to share that grace and mercy with others. Helpus to live truly as people of hope and joy, because we know that you have conquered death andthat you have given us new life and hope. Amen
Our questions for this Sunday:
- How do you live into the joy of your faith?
- Where do you find joy and laughter in your life?
- How will you help our church move forward into this new world with joy?