This Sunday we continue the joyous celebration of Easter, resuming the story of that day from the Gospel of John (John 20:19-31).  It is a story that rings true in every aspect of our experience–in astronomy and geology and biology, in sociology and psychology, in theology and in the depths of our hearts.  Jesus comes through locked doors and brings peace to our fear and transforms our paralyzing confusion or doubt into wisdom and purposeful direction .  The sermon will take its title from an Easter hymn we will sing, “Now the Green Blade Rises,” a classic image for the universal truth of resurrection power.

We will read from Psalm 16 that says, “You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”  We will hear Peter preaching from Acts 2:22-24 on the day of Pentecost (this Sunday’s passage from John is called the Little Pentecost–John has the Pentecost event happen on Easter night).

We will sing “Joy Dawned Again on Easter Day,” and “Thine Is the Glory,” and the choir will sing “Because You Live, O Christ” and “O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing.”  Organist John Atwood will play pieces by J. Pachelbel, F. W. Zachow and J. K. F. Fischer.