Fr. Drew has developed a web site for Youth Ministry at http://youthstdavids.blogspot.com.  There is a link to the web site in the left-hand menu.

Christ Has Risen!

Alleluia.  Christ is Risen!
The Lord is Risen Indeed.  Alleluia!

The opening salutation for the season of Easter sums up completely what Easter is all about.  Alleluia a Greek word, meaning “a song of praise to God,” or sometimes more loosely translated “Praise you the Lord.”  Praise the Lord, the Messiah is alive!  Christ has been raised from the dead.  The response, “The Lord is Risen Indeed,” is our acceptance of the above proclamation that Christ is alive.

Here in two simple sentences one can find the total essence of Easter.  Easter is about resurrection and new life.  It is about the love God has for all human beings:   that he was willing to let his son die on the cross that we might live.  It is about giving praise for that love and new life.

For a short time it appeared that evil had triumphed and Satan had won.  Love was nailed to the cross and died for all to see.  God had other plans.  On the third day, Christ left his burial clothes and made himself known to the community who loved, followed and served him.  Evil and death had no power over Christ.  Satan lost, God won and as a result we received forgiveness of our sins and life everlasting.

We can imagine the joy and elation in the acclamations of his disciples and the countless others who followed Jesus as they passed on the wonderful news that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, just as the prophets and he himself said would happen.  People simply couldn’t wait to pass on the good news to those who had not heard it!

Now, each time we say “Alleluia.  Christ is Risen!  The Lord is Risen Indeed.  Alleluia!”  we are giving praise and thanks to God for the resurrection of Christ.  We are saying that we truly do believe he rose from the dead and now stands beside the throne of God interceding for us.  We believe Jesus to be our Lord and Savior.  Only in Christ are we saved.  We cannot purchase our salvation, we cannot earn it.  Only by believing in the resurrected Christ can our sins be forgiven and we gain entry into heaven.

Here is a message worth passing one.  Here is something to shout from the housetops.  Here is a truth that makes our hearts swell with joy and gladness.  Pass on the good news of Christ’s resurrection and the triumph of good over evil.  It is a simple message of hope --- one the world desperately needs to hear.

May God bless you in new, wonderful and exciting ways.

With deepest affection,

This week at St. David's May 12-18, 2008

Monday LAEP  6:00 PM OA 7:00 PM Promise Keepers 7:30 PM DWS 7:30 PM Tuesday Holy Eucharist 9:30 AM Women's Bible Study 10:00 AM S&R 7:00 PM Wednesday Lioness' 6:00 PM Holy Eucharist 6:30 PM Thursday MOPS 9:00 AM TOPS 6:15 PM SA 7:00 PM Choir 7:30 PM Friday Holy Eucharist 9:00 AM Saturday Deacon Drew's Ordination to the Priesthood 11:00 AM Sunday Holy Eucharist 8:00 AM Adult Bible Study 9:10 AM Holy Eucharist 9:30 AM Private Party - GH & Kitchen 2:00 PM