This Week in Worship
Easter Sunday
Apr 20, 2025: Wilderness and Wildflowers
John 20: 1-18

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

What do we do when we come out of the wilderness?

Do we return to the way things were? Or do we hold on to the hope that this transformation might last? That whatever we experienced in the wilderness might continue to change us?

It can be easier to preach, lead worship, and even simply practice our faith during the "special" seasons of the year. The anticipation of Advent, Christmas traditions, and Lenten disciplines guide us and keep us on track. However, we rarely celebrate the full fifty days of Easter and have nothing to center us during Ordinary Time. How can we maintain that energy instead of dropping off and returning to our "normal" lives?

Maybe it is as simple as continuing to show up. Wildflowers show up in the wilderness. They remind us of our capacity to be resilient, to bring life in unexpected places and to bloom where we are planted

This account of Jesus resurrection shows two different responses to the empty tomb. After the initial shock of fear, hope, and confusion that brought them all to the tomb in the first place, Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, and the other disciple stood looking at the linen cloths abandoned in the tomb. But Mary Magdalene was the first to witness the resurrection because she was the one who stayed. Peter and the other disciple went home, back to business as usual for them. But Mary stayed. Whether it was from grief or hope, Mary Magdalene stayed by the tomb, weeping, and was the first to see Jesus. The first to undergo that transformation from grief to joy. Because she stayed.

Perhaps the way to hold on to what we have learned in these forty days is to continue to show up each day, hoping for a resurrection.

Blessings of Resurrection Hope!

The way we worship is the way we live.

Worship is the work of the people, bringing together our fullest selves in a communal act of love and gratitude.  Each voice is important; each person is valued as the Spirit draws out our authentic gifts and talents, shared in the ever-widening circle of God’s people.  We hope you’ll join us this week as we gather to worship the God of extravagant welcome.