“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.” – Luke 24:1-2

This past Sunday I talked with a young couple that recently got engaged and, though it is still a long way off, are excited to begin wedding plans. We also have a woman at our church who will be giving birth to her third child in the next couple weeks. Just today she was telling me all the things she is getting in place to be ready for the day when she goes into labor. My family is also doing a lot of planning right now because our second oldest will be graduating from high school next month. Part of what makes special days so special is the preparation that goes into them. Imagine if you did nothing to plan for a wedding, a new baby, or a graduation. At the very least those days would be uneventful and at worst they would be incredibly stressful! Special days take special preparation.

This coming Sunday is the most important Sunday of the entire year. This Sunday is Easter. But so often we just show up for church and then go home on Easter Sunday. Because of this, it is often very uneventful for us. This year I want to encourage you to take time and prepare. Read through the last week of Jesus’s life in one of the Gospels. Spend some time in confession, remembering what it is Christ died for. Reflect on your life and where you would be without the hope that Jesus provides. Talk with your kids about the importance of this holiday. Invite a friend to join you at church. Pray for God to reveal new things to you this coming Sunday. Look forward to Easter Sunday with great anticipation, excited for the celebration of victory over sin and death. Then join your brothers and sisters Easter Sunday to worship the God who offers each and every one of us new life and life everlasting!

God, we praise You for the victory over sin and death that was accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Prepare our hearts and minds, create in us a great anticipation, so that this Easter will be an incredible experience with You and with our church family.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon