Glorious Day

"One day when heaven was filled with His praises,

One day when sin was as black as could be,

Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin -

Dwelt among men, my example is He!

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain,

One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;

Suffering anguish, despised and rejected;

Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He.

One day they left Him alone in the garden,

One day He rested, from suffering free;

Angels came down o'er His tomb to keep vigil;

Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He.

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,

One day the stone rolled away from the door;

Then He arose, over death He had conquered;

Now is ascended, my Lord evermore.

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,

One day the skies with His glory will shine;

Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;

Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;

Buried, He carried my sins far away;

Rising, He justified freely forever;

One day He's coming - O glorious day!"

Glorious Day, John Wilbur Chapman, Charles Howard Marsh

Today was baptism Sunday, which is always a special time in service.  There is a power to worship on these days.  The celebration is firmer, more tangible.   

It's electric.  People who are a bit more reserved in worship move more freely.  Particularly as the baptisms are occurring with song.  The combination of clapping for the baptism and celebrating that bleeds over into the worship and song.   They sing louder, they clap harder.

Perhaps it's the more direct remembrance to what Jesus has done for them.  For their own baptism experience and the joy of seeing others brought into the family.  We know it makes the angels celebrate and it makes us celebrate here too.

For those of the faith, I hope your worship this morning was tangible.  Was electric.  

I hope it was something real that touched you deep down into your soul.  I hope you had a glorious day today.

Because if it wasn't, what's holding you back?

"You called my name, 

And I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness

Into your glorious day

I needed rescue

My sin was heavy

But chains break at the weight of Your glory

I needed shelter

I was an orphan

Now You call me a citizen of heaven

When I was broken

You were my healing

Now Your love is the air that I'm breathing

I have a future

My eyes are open

'Cause when you call my name

I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness

Into your glorious day."

Glorious Day, Ingram, Smith, Curran, Stanfill

Easter Sunday 2022

"Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.  But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.  Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.  Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but is risen!  Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'"

Luke 24:1-7

Today marks the greatest celebration of the Christian life.  The greatest news that could be shared.  He is not among the dead.  He's alive!  He's alive!  He's alive and I'm forgiven, Heaven's gates are open wide!

We have hope because He has won the victory over death and the grave.  No matter how dark Friday was, no matter how difficult the waiting on Saturday, it's Sunday and Christ is victorious!

May the joy and grace of the Easter season be on you and your family!  If you do not know the reason why we celebrate, I pray you find yourself surrounded with friends who exemplify the good news and are overjoyed to share. There are plenty of online opportunities today to join a celebration.

God’s blessings on you today and continuing through this year.

"And the morning that You rose
All of heaven held its breath
Till that stone was moved for good
For the Lamb had conquered death

And the dead rose from their tombs
And the angels stood in awe
For the souls of all who’d come
To the Father are restored

And the Church of Christ was born
Then the Spirit lit the flame
Now this gospel truth of old
Shall not kneel shall not faint

By His blood and in His Name
In His freedom I am free
For the love of Jesus Christ
Who has resurrected me

Praise the Father

Praise the Son

Praise the Spirit, three in one

God of glory, Majesty

Praise forever to the King of Kings"

Words and Music by Jason Ingram, Brooke Ligertwood & Scott Ligertwood
© 2019 Hillsong Music Publishing CCLI: 7127647

Resurrection Sunday

"As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; He has risen!  Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee:  "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again."'"

Luke 24: 5-7

May the joy and grace of the Easter season be on you and your family!  If you do not know the reason why we celebrate, I pray you find yourself surrounded with friends who exemplify the good news and are overjoyed to share. God’s blessings on you today and continuing through this year.