Monthly Archives: April 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 5:03 am on April 5, 2015
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Easter – Rev. David J. Schreffler

April 5, 2015
Easter Sunday

“That day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” They said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before G*d and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. It is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.” Luke 24:13ff

“The Gospels do not record the actual Resurrection of our Lord–they only tell of the discovery of the empty tomb by the women and his later appearances to the disciples. The Orthodox tradition faithfully following the Scripture does not depict the moment of Christ’s emergence from the tomb. Instead, the icon of (of the Resurrection) depicts Christ’s descent into the abyss, the underworld, or hell where he frees all the righteous men and women who lived before he conquered death on the cross and opened the gates of heaven. The focus of the Icon is the risen Christ, victorious, wearing a robe of dazzling white, surrounded by a halo of radiant blue as he stands over the dark abyss of the dead.” “The Icon of the Resurrection” “For All The Saints” p. 982

What is your focus on this Easter Sunday? Do you focus on the risen Christ? Do you focus on the empty tomb? Do you focus on the egg hunt that you have to plan, or the family members coming over to eat? Do you focus on the chocolate Easter Bunny that you bought, and whether you should eat the ears or the feet first? I like the fact that the Icon of the Resurrection focuses on the abyss – the fact that Christ entered hell to preach to those who had died until his defeat of death. This act is chronicled in 1 Peter 3:19 – and of course we make reference to it every time we repeat the words of the Apostle’s Creed. The description of the Icon mentions the fact that Christ is standing upon what can be seen as either the cross, which is the means of his death but also of life for all believers, or upon the crushed gates of Hades.

As believers, we all stand on the cross of Christ – or another way to talk about the centrality of the cross is to say that we stand in the shadow of the cross. Either way, today we should be focused on the Cross of Christ – not as a means of putting a negative spin on this most joyous Sunday, but for the joy that begins with the fact that, without the cross, there would be no empty tomb. Today, as you raise your voice to shout “Alleluia, Christ is Risen” – remember the centrality of the cross in your life – and then live into the joy of the resurrection.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 5:30 am on April 4, 2015
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Easter Vigil – Rev. David J. Schreffler

April 4, 2015
Easter Vigil, Easter Saturday

“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Jesus Christ has set me free from the law of sin and death. For G*d has done what the law could not do: sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh.” Romans 8:1-3

“What is happening? Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because G*d slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages. G*d has died in the flesh, and the underworld has trembled. Truly he goes to seek out our first parent like a lost sheep; he wishes to visit those, 2105 who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.” “For All The Saints” volume III (p. 1037) “The Lord’s Descent Into Hell” An Ancient Homily

Easter Vigil is one of my favorite services throughout the entire year – no not better than Easter, but almost. It begins outside, with a fire, an ancient symbol of light – it brings warmth, light and a reminder of the power of G*d. Then the entire congregation processes inside, in darkness to hear ancient words from G*d – Old Testament readings about the promises of G*d, the power of G*d, and the love of G*d. Then the congregation witnesses a baptism – and if not a baptism, they hear again the promises of baptism – that we are chosen through our baptism by G*d as children of G*d, infused with the Holy Spirit and are marked with the cross of Christ on our foreheads and hear that we are to let our light so shine before others….that gives glory to our Father in Heaven.

Then, in one magnificent moment, the lights come on in the Nave and the Chancel is clean, and white, and we are all bathed in the light of Christ. We celebrate Holy Communion and hear that Christ has Risen Indeed. It is a powerful service – it is a magnificent way to begin the Easter Season. Get Thee to an Easter Vigil Service tonight and experience again the power, the wonder, and the love of G*d as we experience again the resurrection of Christ.

Pastor Dave