To Easter and Beyond!

In April, the Church is thrilled to celebrate Palm Sunday and Easter. What joy! The Church is at its best and brightest, isn’t it? We are excited to gather together with family and friends, perhaps welcoming more people into the pews. We sing wholehearted praises to God and wave palm branches, “All Glory, Laud and Honor” and “Jesus Christ is risen today. Hallelujah!”

One Easter, I sat in the second pew of a suburban church, but wearing plainclothes, not my formal black robe. I overheard a visitor say, “Ahhh. I heard this same message last year when I came. Does it really change anyone here?” Does it? If our involvement ends with hearing the story of Jesus raised from the dead—once a year—or even weekly—then perhaps not. What does God have in mind for us to be and do in response to God’s gift of love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ?

That is part of what sent me back to seminary. To gain new understanding, to find a new theology of how God works in the world through Jesus. I learned about missio Dei and it freed me. What’s missio Dei? David Bosch explains that God sent Jesus into the world on God’s mission of love, healing, and redemption—and in the same way, the entire Trinity sends God’s people into the world on God’s mission, too. God is a sending God–out of love, love, love.

“How exciting—and freeing—is that?”

This theological concept underlies the daily practices of the vibrant, missional Church. Churches who understand that God calls each member to respond with concrete action will live differently in their communities beyond Easter. A missional church equips its members to live daily as God’s “sent ones” in large and small ways that are outwardly-focused, reaching beyond their own families and walls. Gil Rendle names this “building a bridge across the driveway.”

Together we have the privilege to participate in the mission of God in sending Jesus, We do not serve others simply out of their great need, but because of Jesus Christ and our love for God, remembering that God is powerful to achieve God’s will even without us. But Jesus invites us to join in joyfully. How exciting—and freeing—is that? Powerful enough motivation to change our other 364 days of the year.

Our March Missions classes led by member Angela Muganwa of Heartland Human Care have inspired First Pres folks to agree together on next steps of action. Hearing from Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac during worship 3/23/25 and the Q&A following stirred many of us to ask questions. Perhaps the biggest questions are, ““Where aren’t we paying attention to the pressing need…yet? To whom might First Pres friends begin reaching out in joy? And “What is our next, right step?”

On the journey with you,

Pastor Tassie