Sunday, April 20, 2025
The Joy of Believing
You make our joy complete by joining us for Easter! Scripture speaks to the joy of the disciples on encountering the Risen Lord (Jn 20:20). Wherever the disciples went, “there was great joy” (Acts 8:8). We encounter Jesus through faith and so are filled with joy too. This joy is not a passing emotion but a spirit that abides. Our joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us and among us. The spirit of the Risen Lord, his gift of grace, unites us in a love that is inclusive, open to all. We greet you with Saint Paul, “May the God of hope fill you with Joy” (Rom 15:13).
The joy of Easter is not just celebrated today, but for the next fifty days culminating with Pentecost. We will rejoice as a community as others join us in Holy Communion for the first time. We will be filled with joy when our youth are confirmed as witnesses to the Risen Lord. All are welcome to join our parish retreat, Hope and the Holy Spirit, May 22 and 29th. We will have a Ministry Fair on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, so many more members of our faith community can feel God’s delight in them through the sharing of spiritual gifts. I hope you can join us on July 6th when I am installed as pastor.
In Christ,
Rev. Robert P. Capone