Worship From Home

The Ascension of Jesus is a strange story at first glance. Jesus is air-lifted into the heavens and we’re left with a collage of clouds and sunlight. To be clear, it is a strange story. And, when we look at this story in the context of all of Jesus’ other interactions, blessings, healings, miracles...it actually feels pretty consistent with what we've experienced of Jesus thus far. 

Paul believed that God longed to be known by us. As children of God, we see reflections, glimpses of the Divine in each other. In our connection and relationships--in community--we experience God more fully. This week, we explore our ability to stay connected, to form and sustain relationships--even from a distance--through a screen, or a letter, or a phone call.

One of my most vivid memories as a little child, perhaps even my first memories, were of Sam the Ram. Growing up we had pigs, guinea hens, dogs, cats, sheep, and one Ram--Sam. Under the watchful eye of my dad, I would ride on Sam’s back over our yard. (There are many pictures documenting this experience.) Sam was gentle and big and I have no memory of being afraid, despite his size and large ram horns.

Worship at Home can take many forms. This week, I offer to you a variety of readings to awaken your soul and soothe whatever may be challenging you. Read them all, or just dwell in one or two of them. There are no rules.

We all have our own traditions around Easter—egg hunts, family lunches, Easter lilies, and meaningful worship. This year, those traditions will not be the same, and yet, we believe that just like every Easter before, the sun will rise, and something will be different.

This year, despite our physical distance, we invite you to carve out some sacred space in the comfort of your own home to recognize the holiness of this day.

This is a simple liturgy for your own personal Easter Sunrise service. Why sunrise? Every year, thousands of people celebrate Easter at sunrise because the women discovered the empty tomb early in the morning, “while it was still dark” (John 20:1). Therefore, we invite and challenge you to be like these brave biblical women, to rise in the dark, to recognize the wilderness, and to watch the sun rise over it.