Reverend Barnett gives Easter message

The Opening Acclamation at our Easter service is: “Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!” This greeting unites us with Christians throughout time and across the world. Easter is the oldest and greatest of Christian feasts as we celebrate the miraculous mystery that Jesus is risen from the dead. It is the very core of our faith and so we pull out all the stops.

The inspiring music, flower-laden sanctuary, festive vestments – indeed the sounds, sights, smells and rites of Easter attest to its message of life, light, and hope.

Following Jewish custom in which the day begins at sunset, Episcopalians are among those who observe the start of the feast on the evening before Easter Sunday. This Saturday evening service is called the Great Vigil of Easter. It is a dramatic, symbolic liturgy in four parts.

It opens with the kindling and blessing of a new fire from which the Paschal Candle is lit. Other candles are then lit from the Paschal Candle and distributed to the congregation signifying the spreading of Christ’s light. Next, we listen to the stories of salvation history from the Hebrew scripture. Since the early church, the Easter Vigil has been a time for baptism because of the understanding of baptism as participation in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Baptism or the renewal of baptismal vows is followed by the first Easter Communion.

At All Saints’ Church in Baldwin, we will begin the first service of Easter singing the hymn: Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia. This in one of the innumerable times in the liturgy that we will say, “Alleluia,” as an expression of praise to God. It is our custom to “bury’ or suspend the alleluias/hallelujahs during Lent; that is, we do not use the word in worship. However, now that Lent is over, we pack our Easter services with an abundance of exuberant alleluias. To add to the festivity, All Saints’ members bring bells to ring while singing the canticle, “Glory to God.”

Whether we hold the service on Easter Eve or Easter Sunday, the Gospel is the familiar account of the first witnesses who came to the tomb in the early dawn expecting death but finding life. The story tells how they learned that Jesus was not there but had risen. Although perplexed and afraid, they went to spread the news. This incredible experience and their ensuing encounters with the risen Christ would change their lives and the world forever.

For yet another year, we celebrate Easter in a pandemic era. There is much in our world to fear. We also come to this time from different places in our lives. However, we are an Easter people who are optimistic and bold, holding on to the assurance that there is nothing that is too dead, too broken, too hopeless, or too big a problem for our God to overcome.

Easter cannot be contained in one day. Easter Day begins a season that is sometimes called the “Great Fifty Days” or “a week of weeks.”  And each Sunday of the year is like a “little Easter” when we gather to celebrate Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. So, I pray that, this Easter and whenever you are able, you will experience and celebrate the Good News that Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!