Spring Arrives with Easter!
I have just completed my first winter here in Medina (though with the weather this week I am not certain that winter is over just yet). I expected the snow and the cold of northeast Ohio for I have lived most of my life in similar climates. What I did not expect though, was the endless succession of gray, dreary days. It appears that sometime in November the sun packs up and leaves this area, refusing to make anything more than a brief visit until March. Even now, it doesn’t seem to want to stay around for very long.
We live for several months in the hope of spring – blue skies, warm breezes, daffodils, green grass and flowering trees. We long for the appearance of new life in the natural world all around.
How often much of our life seems to be stuck in winter. We endure long dreary, gray days of job loss, or relationship breakups, or chronic illnesses, or uncertain futures. We long for the clouds to disappear and the warm blue skies of spring to make all things better. We sometimes wonder whether it will ever happen.
Then, somehow, from somewhere, spring arrives. Our hope is renewed. Our world is good once again. At least for awhile.
In our Christian faith, this hope can be found at all times in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the empty tomb on the first Easter morning, God proclaims that life, new life, eternal life awaits us. God offers the hope of eternal resurrection not only for our lives, but also for the whole world. God desires us all to know the blessings of a God who conquers death and invites us to live amidst God’s holy reign.
Please join us in worship on the northeast corner of the historic square in Medina. We offer three unique services each Sunday morning. Come and receive hope amidst a joyful community of faith. May you know that “No matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here at Medina United Church of Christ!” We are an Easter people.
May God bless us all as we grow together in faith,
Neal R. Sadler, Senior Pastor
