Easter is about new beginnings. After the devastation of the unjust and cruel crucifixion of Jesus, Easter Day celebrates that evil does not win. In the end goodness will ultimately prevail. Jesus’ disciples were hiding away after their leader had been killed. They did not bargain on that all they had experienced as Jesus’ followers was only the beginning. Somehow through the chaos, their fear and their feelings of hopelessness, new light shined. Resurrection, how it happened no one knows, but happen it did, and it has led to the Christian faith of which we now are a part. Easter also reminds us that no matter how dark our life may appear, God will see us through into new beginnings. We are and can be transformed by the Resurrection from being scared and frightened to being outspoken apostles of the Risen Jesus. The Resurrection gives us hope for the future.
The Reverend John Cornish
Priest-in-Charge
Anglican Parish of Caloundra Glasshouse Country
Archdeacon of the Sunshine Coast
We are being bombarded with Easter messages, but are we hearing the real meaning of Easter?
This hymn summarises Good Friday: ‘There is a Greenhill far away without a city wall. Where the dear Lord was crucified, who died to save us all. He died that we might be forgiven, He died to make us good: That we might go at last to heaven, saved by His precious blood. There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin: He only could unlock the gate of heaven and let us in.
Easter Sunday rouses us to celebration, Jesus died for us, so that we can live for Him!
Jesus Christ is risen today. Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Wishing you a very happy and blessed Easter. CHRIST IS RISEN! PRAISE THE LORD!
Jill Schefe
Lay worker on behalf of the Calvary Lutheran Church, Glasshouse Mountains
At St George’s Maleny we begin our celebration while it is still dark. At 5.30am we light the paschal fire and carry its flame into an empty church building to announce the risen Christ.
For me it’s the most beautiful service of the year. We walk toward the shadows remembering resurrection begins this way. Like a seed breaking open as yet untouched by the sun; like a baby in the womb; like Jesus absent from the tomb new life begins quietly before we can even perceive it.
Our ‘eastering’ begins like Mary’s – not knowing what the dawn will reveal. We light the paschal fire looking for emergence, little resurrections, not knowing where it will yet lead us. Christ is risen, we proclaim – welcoming the mystery that however long the night, we discover there is more life yet to live.
This Easter may the risen Christ meet you in unexpected places with life that is ever dawning.
Deborah Bird
Parish Priest
Anglican Parish of Maleny
Easter is the great celebration of victory of life over death. Sometimes it is so easy to forget that ours is an Easter faith. While the Easter mystery does not deny the reality of suffering and death, of doubt and fear, it does proclaim reason for hope in the human condition.
We do not deny nor turn away from the evils that surround us; the despair caused by the coronavirus, the war in Ukraine or the injustices suffered by innocent people. The empty tomb of Christ trumpets the ultimate Alleluia: that love, compassion, generosity, humility and selflessness will ultimately triumph over hatred, bigotry, prejudice, despair, greed and death.
May the empty tomb, which is central to the Easter mystery, be for us here in our Sunshine Coast community, the sign of perfect hope. May it powerfully remind us that in Christ all things are possible. May it reinforce the reality that we can live our lives with meaning and purpose, conscious of those with whom we share this journey.
I wish you and yours every Easter blessing.
Fr. Peter Brannelly
Caloundra Parish Priest
Caloundra Catholic Parish
Easter is a time when we remember God’s message to mankind – that there is hope, meaning and love, even in a confusing world of pain and suffering.
The Bible says because of that first Easter:
“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Easter is a time when we remember God’s message to mankind – that there is hope meaning and love even in a confusing world of pain and suffering.
Have a great Easter. To find out more come along to our Easter Services. Good Friday 8 am (and then stay for pancakes afterward) Easter Sunday 9am. We are at 58 Roberts Road Beerwah.
Rev Chris Johnson
Pastor Glasshouse Country Baptist Church