Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

May this good news in Christ Jesus, risen from the dead, victorious and reigning over us in love, bring joy to all who read this journal.

As I recall Easter celebrations past and look forward to this year's celebration, my connection to Jesus and his church has many musical links in the chain. Whether you have a "singing voice" or not, music has a way of bringing words to life in us. Certainly Jesus needs no fanfare to raise him from death, but we are accustomed to attaching his good news to music. Add music to words and they stick to us.

Jesus risen from the dead sticks to us with eternal life. This life is not somewhere in the future, but is the song of our lives in the present. His life sings over every opposing force we face and swallows it up in victory. With Jesus stuck to us--sin and failure, darkness and evil, doubt and fear, even the last enemy death--cannot not stick to us.

His life gives our life meaning. His life shapes our mission. Ultimately, our mission is to be the music of Easter--to bring words to life that will stick with others. This is the song of our lives and the Music of Easter. I also believe St. John's mission articulated as "Meet! Experience! Live!" is the same song.

Meet Jesus! These words are the downbeat of St. John’s mission and the pulse of the Gospel. He we don't lead with Jesus, we're stuck to the wrong message. Jesus is the real deal; his resurrection changes our destiny; his grace sustains our life! He is beyond history; He reigns eternal; He lives today! Thus, we believe Easter is more than a day. It is the way to live every day with Jesus.

Experience the Support of the Church! This is the melody line of our mission and the principal reason for our web publications. Throughout these pages you read from the song of ministry that is shared among us as the Body of Christ. It is a sample of places where we can connect. We desire to support one another as people who show Jesus is alive by our love for one another. There are any number of reasons that disconnect us from a community. Easter can be a new beginning of reconnecting for all of us—whether longtime member or first time visitor, returning from a lonely place or rejoicing in reunions. We believe we’re better together.

Live as Disciples! This is where our mission becomes a song with themes, harmony and expression. If we believe Jesus’ resurrection changes everything, then the invitation to follow him gives us a new world view. Our mission is too big to be contained within a church service or even a single community. We voice that expression in terms of a vision of being a community where we are sent out to a vigorous healing ministry embracing the Kingdom of God as Jesus’ witnesses in…

• Jerusalem (our church family)

• ŸJudea (our neighbors and communities)

• ŸSamaria (cross-cultural relationships close to home)

• ŸThe Ends of the Earth (making a global impact)

Our church and school have a lot on the menu of things to do, but what we do sticks to Jesus and his mission. The vision we have is one that takes the song to the streets and airwaves as disciples who are sent from our gathering here to our mission in the world. That’s what we do, for example, in St. John’s School. Our school isn't a sanctuary from the world. We are a prep-school for disciples who already are the music of the redemptive, healing work of Jesus in a broken world. What is true in our school, is equally true in the worship setting, Bible classes, Group Life, ministry for children, youth and adults, music, prayer, service and caring ministries—all are ultimately movements of the same music, the mission of Easter.

Christ is Risen! And his people respond, “He is risen indeed! Alleluia!”

May our “Alleluia” be the embrace and awakening to new beginnings of sticking with Jesus and the song of his mission in us. Alleluia!

(c)2012 St. John's Lutheran Church and School | 505 S Park RD | La Grange IL 60525 www.sjlagrange.com
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