Pastor’s Pen

Pastor Jenna

April 2024

“They found the stone rolled
away from the tomb, but when
they went in, they didn’t find the
body of the Lord Jesus.”
(Luke 24:2-3 CEB)

Dear St. Andrew family of faith,

Although spring in the Midwest can be unpredictable and at times seemingly unattainable—I’m looking at you, March snow—I still feel hopeful and filled with a sense of renewal and anticipation as we step into April.

During Lent we spent time in reflection and repentance as God guided us through a journey of introspection and spiritual growth. Now, as we approach Easter, we are reminded of the beautifully transformative power of resurrection and our story as people of the Resurrection.

Each year, Easter reminds us that through God hope is reborn, love is triumphant, and the promise of redemption is fulfilled. The world saw the story ending in death, but we bear witness to God’s power as Jesus conquers Death, transforms our despair into joy, and the destroys any power this world has over us. As we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant resurrection, he invites us to reflect on the ways in which we, too, are called to experience renewal in our own lives.

Renewal begins with openness—to God’s grace, to the possibilities of transformation, and to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It requires courage—to let go of the old and embrace the new, to face our fears and doubts, and to go boldly into the unknown. It demands faith—to believein the power of God to heal and restore, to trust in the goodness of God’s plans, and to surrender ourselves fully to God’s will.

As a community of faith, we are called to do this work together. To seek renewal in every aspect of our lives as we renew our commitments to prayer, worship, and service. To renew our relationships with God, one another, and with the world around us. Above all, to renew our hope that no matter how lost we are, no matter how painful the world around us is, that Christ’s resurrection has already shown us the way to new and everlasting life.

I pray that this season of Easter is a time of renewal and rejoicing for each and every one of us. May we emerge from this season with hearts full of gratitude, minds renewed with wisdom, and spirits aflame with the love of Christ. And may we carry the message of resurrection wherever we go, shining as beacons of hope in a world that so desperately needs it.

Peace,
Pr Jenna