The Season of
Eastertide
Easter isn’t just a Sunday. It’s a season called Eastertide, stretching out over seven weeks and a day—The Great 50 Days—as if one day alone couldn’t contain the weight of what happened. The world should have ended with the cross. Hope should have stayed buried. But then came the morning when everything that should have ended, experienced a radical new beginning. Easter is the promise that death—whether the great and final kind or the thousands of smaller ones we die along the way—is never the last word. Something new will always rise. The world turns, the stone rolls away, and God, in ways we can scarcely imagine, insists upon life. Easter is not just a date on the calendar but a new way of being in the world, living as those who believe that after every cross, there will always be resurrection.
Thank you.
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your support through your prayers, tithes, and labor in the work of our church. Your commitment and generosity play an essential role in creating a vibrant community of faith, and we are inspired by your friendship and participation. Together, we are inviting our community and neighborhood to make meaning of their lives and participate in the life giving presence of God in our lives.
Compassion and Justice
Nehemiah Assembly
Events
News and Notes
Compassion and Justice
There is no better time to jump in and help distribute food to neighbors in need, than Eastertide. Join us in the parking lot May 3 and June 7 to live out the very themes of hope, renewal, and transformative love celebrated during the resurrection of Christ. Loading fresh produce into a strangers car is one of the most embodied ways to reflect the spirit of Easter, and Christ's example of compassion and generosity. Our food distributions provide opportunities to extend kindness and solidarity within our community, serving as a tangible expression of the Eastertide promise that death and despair are not the final word, but an opportunity for radical new beginnings.
Nehemiah
Just as Eastertide proclaims new life and hope for all, advocating for vulnerable individuals brings the message of the resurrection into tangible acts of love and solidarity. We can live out the transformative power of Christ's resurrection by showing solidarity and the collective pursuit of justice. The Nehemiah Assembly is the perfect opportunity to answer the call of the season, which is to embody Christ's love, and work toward the flourishing of all. Help us address some of the challenges in our community by showing up on May 6, to show our elected leaders that we will fight for the most marginalized people in our county.
Community Life
The May 4 Roundtable presents an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and reflection during the liturgical season of Eastertide. This season, beginning on Easter Sunday and extending to Pentecost, is marked by celebration, renewal, and deep exploration of faith's transformative power. Our Roundtable discussion during this season will surely foster community, shared insights, and thoughtful conversations about faith and life. Just as Eastertide invites Christians to embrace renewal and growth, a roundtable discussion can encourage participants to engage with fresh perspectives, grapple with challenges, and celebrate the collective journey of faith within a supportive and dynamic space. Through thoughtful exchange and earnest questions, the Roundtable can become a reflection of Eastertide's spirit of hope and vulnerability.
U18 Ministries
During the season of Eastertide, our ministries for children and youth are leaning deeply into the mystery and joy of new life in Christ. In the Godly Play classroom, we’re exploring a lesson series called Knowing Jesus in a New Way, highlighting the moments Jesus appeared to his friends after the resurrection—from Mary in the garden to Jesus on the shore of Galilee, all the way to the wonder of Pentecost. In the A-frame, our elementary students are considering how Jesus continued walking with God even after the resurrection—bringing healing, hope, and love into the world. Meanwhile, our middle and high school students are reflecting on how this same resurrection life can shape their own. Through weekly Sunday gatherings and Wednesday night youth group, they are exploring faith, doubt, identity, and belonging—all within a safe and sacred community of peers and mentors.
We’re also holding space for meaningful milestones throughout this season. Graduation Sunday, on May 11, invites the whole church to honor our high school seniors as Cole shares stories and blessings over them—a powerful practice of naming the gifts we see in our children. Then, on June 1, we’ll celebrate Promotion Sunday, when children and students move into their next phase of ministry: our soon-to-be kindergarteners will join the A-frame for the first time, 5th graders will step into Middle School Youth Group, and our graduates will step boldly into life beyond high school. Another milestone moment awaits our middle schoolers on June 6–7 at our Overnight Event, a fun and formational time that ends with a surprise ceremony and personal encouragement from key voices in their lives.