Peace Notes-April 2017 - Word of Peace Lutheran Church

A MESSAGE FROM THE
PASTOR
THE WHOLE EARTH CELEBRATES
JESUS’ RESURRECTION!
Sunday, April 16 th is Easter. It is the
celebraon of our Lord’s resurrec-
on from the dead; the celebraon
of that day when “all will be made
alive in Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:22).
It isn’t just humanity that celebrates Jesus’ resurrecon, it is
the whole earth as well. In the Easter story from Mahew’s
gospel, before the stone is rolled away from the tomb, we
read, “And suddenly there was a great earthquake…”
(Mahew 28:2). In this instance, the earthquake is not a destrucve
power, but rather it is a signal to us “that the natural
world itself cannot help but witness to God’s intervenon in
human affairs through Jesus.” (from The Easter Tree by David
Lose)
There are other events in Jesus’ life that the natural world is a
witness to. Mahew also tells of the miraculous star that guided
the magi to Bethlehem. And on Palm Sunday, in Luke’s gospel,
Jesus says to the Pharisees who want to silence the disciples,
“I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout
out.” (Luke 19:40)
With the whole earth being a part of Jesus’ life and resurrec-
on celebraon, it seems appropriate that Earth Day this year
is just a few days aer Easter (April 22). There is a definite connecon
between God and the natural world; between our
faith and the earth. So in this season of Easter and Earth Day,
as we look forward in ancipaon to Spring and Summer, we
are reminded once again of how important the earth is to our
life and faith, and how important it is for us to care for that
which sustains us and witnesses to us.
Easter and Earth Day Blessings to You!
4
Pastor Rick Skare
Senior Pastor
P.S. In conjuncon with Earth Day, Word of Peace offers a
“Blessing of the Animals” service (see back page for details).
It’s been fieen years since we first sang John Ruer’s
Requiem at Word of Peace. On Palm Sunday, April 9, we
will perform it for the third me.
Requiem is a beauful work that contains a meless beauty
and a richness of spirit that invites both performer and
audience to enter into a sacred space celebrang both life
and death. This is a piece of music that people should be
familiar with, and if you come to hear it you will have
spent your me well.
Requiem is accompanied by a small ensemble of harp, organ,
flute, oboe, cello and mpani. The score also calls for
a glockenspiel for the central movement but we are using
hand bells instead, thanks to a special agreement with
John Ruer. Guest soloist from the Land of Lakes Choirboys,
Reese Beck, will sing two of the movements.
Please don’t miss this. It will be a wonderful way to start
your Holy Week. A free-will offering will be taken.
Holy Week Walk—Good Friday, April 14
10:00 AM, 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM
Experience the marketplace of Jerusalem, watch Jesus
share a meal with his disciples and join Jesus as he prays
in the Garden of Gethsemane. This worship service is designed
for adults and families of all ages to experience and
parcipate in the sights and sounds of Holy Week. This is a
wonderful opportunity for parents, grandparents, aunts,
uncles, neighbors, and students to worship through drama,
music, and experience.
For more informaon, contact Krisn Skare at (763) 496-
2404 or kskare@wordofpeace.org.