Rev. Rebecca’s Note - Love in the Time of Resurrection: The Resuscitation of Hope
As we continue considering what love in the time of resurrection looks like, we once again turn to Stephen Patterson, who reflects on what resurrection is and isn’t about from the perspective of Jesus in history. While some have made resurrection into literal bodily reanimation, as we read here, it’s not necessary to do that to be Christian.
“Resurrection is not about the resuscitation of a corpse, that one great miracle that proves we are right after all. It is about the resuscitation of hope in the face of cruel realities. There is so much in our world that points in the direction of despair: war, hunger, racism, human degradation and abuse, fallenness. History easily suggests that if there is a God, if there is a reality that runs through and beneath it all, this reality is surely not a benevolent God. Resurrection is about the resuscitation of hope against all odds that there is indeed a God, and that God loves us beyond all our furthest imaginings. This is the God Christians claim to have met in the life and preaching of Jesus of Nazareth. ” (p. 239)
As Patterson says, resurrection is fundamentally about God’s love for us as we experience it in the resuscitation of hope, which doesn’t require a literal bodily resurrection. Life is so rough, particularly these days, as so much that we’ve taken for granted is simply not as it was. Environmental protections have been swept away, as have election protections that have made electoral districts more fair. Our neighbors from other countries are not being welcomed and protected in this country, and our country is at war for frivolous reasons. None of this sounds very hopeful. And so resurrection as articulated this way continues to be all the more important as we are still called to be God’s people in these trying times. Resurrection helps us to understand that even in the worst of circumstances, hope in the form of God’s love for the whole world is always there, if we are able to see it.
Source: Patterson, Stephen. The God of Jesus: The Historical Jesus and the Search for Meaning. Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 1998.
- Rev. Rebecca
Think+Pray+Act(itivites) Survey
Even if you weren’t able to make it on Saturday, please fill out our survey on activities and times by next Friday, May 15 (https://forms.gle/JrLpi4wZvge3QcGF9) to help us set priorities and schedules for the rest of this year. Thanks!
TPA Online - Drawing All Things to God in Easter
Our Online Spiritual Group, Drawing All Things to God, will go on through the whole Easter season and beyond. You are welcome to join us anytime. We will have a brief spiritual practice and a video of the author reflecting on an idea for us to discuss and reflect upon together.
| Join us on Sunday Nights at 6 pm For the Online Spiritual Group about Drawing All Things to God Sign Up Here for the Link! |
There is so much we can say about Jesus - and much has been said about Jesus, who is the center of our Christian faith! But who is he, really, and what does he really mean to us? As we’re in the 50-day Easter season, in this series we consider who he is through video, discussion, and spiritual practices. See you online!
South City Youth Group Meeting Think+Pray+Act is part of the South City Youth Group for grades 6-12 with Compton Heights Christian Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, and Oak Hill Presbyterian Church! The youth group meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.
What’s Next
| May 3-9 | Daily Bible Reading 2nd Samuel 19-20 - 1st Kings 7-8 |
| Sat, May 9, 12:30pm Think+Pray+Act 2725 S Jefferson Ave, StL, 63118 | T+P+A Gathering: Why is Easter a whole liturgical season and not just a day in the life of the church? We’ll delve into the meaning of this. Also for our activity, we’re helping one of our members, get moved into her new space! If you can make it, please dress comfortably (but honestly, how is that different from our usual dress code?). |
| Sun, May 10, 6pm Online | T+P+A Online: Drawing All Things to God: The Audacity of Vulnerability Exploring who Jesus is and what he means to each of us. |
| Sun, May 17, 5pm Tower Grove Park | South City Youth Group: Senior BBQ Let’s give our graduating seniors a good send-off as they graduate from high school! |
| Sun, May 17, 6pm Online | T+P+A Online: Drawing All Things to God: Jesus Freaks Exploring who Jesus is and what he means to each of us. |
| Sat, May 28, 12:30pm Think+Pray+Act 2725 S Jefferson Ave, StL, 63118 | T+P+A Gathering: Resurrection as Justice: Intro to MCU Why are we such fans of justice? Join us and special guest DeMarco Davidson, MDiv, Executive Director of Metropolitan Congregations United, as he helps us make tangible connections between the justice mentioned in the Bible and our work we do as a member congregation of MCU! |
What to Know about Think Pray Act:
We are an open and affirming faith community that strives to maintain open and free theological learning as an act toward justice. We welcome all spirit seekers into full participation in the life and membership of the community. We actively and faithfully accept as they are people of every race, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, relationship status, physical and mental ability, family type, and economic background.
We believe God calls us to do justice and love kindness, giving assistance and healing to others and the planet by following the teachings of Jesus. We promise to love our neighbors, respect differences, and build authentic relationships by learning who we are, taking just action, and breaking bread together. In our actions, God’s love moves and shines.
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