hat a glorious day we all shared last Sunday. The building was packed with eager worshippers who shared in expressing their joy in The Resurrection. Our Sunrise Service was quiet and reflective as we looked at the personal experiences of those who went to the tomb so early that Sunday morning. Their lives were forever changed. The immediate impact of the empty tomb was felt differently by each of them. They came from different backgrounds with different needs and expectations. They had unique relationships in their lives and with Christ before the crucifixion and resurrection. The empty tomb impacted each of them in that special way that only an encounter with God can.

We asked ourselves how encountering the empty tomb of our Lord changes us. When God raised Jesus it changed all human history and eternity. We all have to assess how we have allowed God's amazing work in Jesus to change us. Are we inspired by it? Does it fill us with optimism? Does it give us an eternal perspective on life? We are all unique like those first followers were. How have we let the resurrection uniquely change us?

After this special time, we all enjoyed a marvelous breakfast prepared by the men of the church. They fed a hundred and fifty of us with good food and style. It was a joy to share this meal with so many fellow believers on a beautiful morning.

A group of our elementary children presented the resurrection story in a wonderful way through song and drama during a special service at 9:45 am. Their weeks of practice paid off beautifully in the presentation. Young children find joy in God's expression of His love and power. They were enthusiastic and powerfully told the story of Jesus' resurrection. The large crowd who came to hear them was truly blessed.

Our main worship service featured special choral numbers by some of our high school students, who participate in Marshfield High School's choir, and a group of adult singers who formed a special Easter choir for the occasion. The worship service expressed glory to God through traditional and contemporary music. The message of the day was from the twentieth chapter of John. In this scripture Jesus made Himself known to those mentioned by overcoming the different needs each had. They all had different things in the way of their belief and acceptance of the risen Lord. Jesus met each one where they were and showed them proof that He was alive. They saw Him as each needed to see Him. He comes to us the same way today. Have we allowed Him to meet us where we are? Have we let Him in through our emotions, fears, or doubts? He is willing if we are willing. He wants all to know the power of His Resurrection and the eternal hope it brings.

We praise God for the gift of His Son and for giving us a reason to have the kind of day we were blessed with last Sunday. The reality is that we have those same reasons every Sunday. Praise the Lord!