And ah for a man to arise in me,

That the man I am may cease to be!

—Alfred Tennyson

If life had a second edition, how I would correct the proofs.

—John Clare

Oh, wretched ephemeral race … why do you compel me to tell you what it would be most expedient for you not to hear? What is best of all is utterly beyond your reach: not to be born, not to be, to be nothing. But the second best for you is—to die soon.

—Silenus

Sermon Summary: The grave is empty--Christ is risen! That was world-changing news for Jesus’ disciples, but what does it mean for us? How does an event from 2000 years ago offer hope in the midst of life’s trials and challenges today? Come and hear how Easter changes everything.

Passage to Consider: 1 Peter 1:3–9

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, ⁹ obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Confession of Sin:

Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from death to life and crowned him Lord of all.

We confess that we have not acknowledged his authority

or trusted in his commands.

We have boasted in our own achievements

and failed to give him thanks.

We have been deaf to his call

and blind to his work in our world.

(silent confession)

Forgive us and raise us from sin, that we may be your faithful people, following our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.