Happy Easter everyone! While this Easter celebration has been quite different, the God we celebrate is not. He rises and He reigns over sin and death, over all powers, and over all circumstances. We can rejoice in who God is and what He has done for us regardless of what circumstances we’re in, knowing that God is working for us a “far greater eternal weight of glory”. I pray that you’ve found comfort and a reason for joy wherever you are today.
Like so many others across the world, our church is closed too. We had online services today and worshiped virtually. While we can certainly worship God wherever we are and church is not confined to a building with walls, I did miss being in our church building worshiping as a large group. I’ve been thinking a lot about the beautiful churches and cathedrals we saw in England – large and small – and my heart aches that they too are closed. However, I started researching and found lists of churches that were broadcasting services online! Through this, I’ve been able to connect with places across the world in ways that weren’t possible even a few months ago.
One special cathedral we visited, the first outside of London, was Litchfield Cathedral. Since it has been closed during Holy Week, the Cathedral instead chose to illuminate the cathedral with images of hope and reminders of the Passion of Christ which were posted online. Their Easter Eucharist services are also online and the presiding Rev’d John Hencher offered this beautiful prayer for Easter:
“Risen Lord:
Give us a heart for simple things:
love, laughter, bread, wine, dreams.
Fill us with green growing hope.
And make us an Easter people:
whose song is Alleluia,
whose sign is Peace,
and whose name is Love.”
As is my usual practice, I post a song for each Easter. Based on the prayer above and the opportunity to worship with the Church of England today as well as with my own church family, I’ve chosen “The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done”.
Refrain:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The strife is o’er, the battle done;
The victory of life is won;
The song of triumph has begun:
Alleluia!
The pow’rs of death have done their worst;
But Christ their legions has dispersed;
Let shouts of holy joy outburst:
Alleluia!
The three sad days are quickly sped;
He rises glorious from the dead;
All glory to our risen Head:
Alleluia!
He closed the yawning gates of hell;
The bars from heav’n’s high portals fell;
Let hymns of praise His triumphs tell:
Alleluia!
Lord, by the stripes which wounded You,
In us You’ve won the vict’ry too,
That we may live, and sing to You:
Alleluia!
Refrain 5:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let us indeed choose to be an Alleluia people, and Easter people, who rejoice in what God’s love has accomplished for us and spread that love to others.
Happy Easter blessings to you,
Sarah
anordinarymiracleday 
Happy Easter, Sarah! ❤