Now What?

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

If you attend worship with us regularly – either in person or online – you’re going to be hearing that a lot over the next several weeks. And it’s amazing news that we have the blessing to share every year – that Christ is alive, and has defeated the power of death, giving us all the gift of eternal life. But every year, as the Easter alleluia’s begin to wane, I get the sense we’re all asking a question – “now what?”

For pastors and other leaders in the congregation, the “now what” often involves getting ready for the next big thing – the next big festival, the next big event or program opportunity, or maybe the next sermon series down the line. That means as I and other worship planning leaders begin to look toward Pentecost, our youth and children’s ministry program is looking toward the end of the program year and Vacation Bible School (June 2-4 this year). And you never know when your pastor might try out some new material on an unsuspecting congregation or invite the community to get out of its comfort zone. But because we’re all programmed to look ahead to the next thing, we might be missing out on what’s happening right here and right now.

Over the past couple of weeks, incredibly important ministry has continued to happen. Over the course of Holy Week, Jazzperanza held a concert open to our community, inviting new people onto our campus. Our preschool youth learned about the spiritual gift of gentleness, and washed each other’s feet. On a gorgeous Easter morning, we gathered together in community to celebrate, and hosted a wonderful pancake breakfast as well as a joyous Easter Egg hunt, both open to the entire community. And this past Saturday, we came together to be community with those who participate in our community garden program. These are things that are happening right here and now. There are ministries that keep this community active and thriving that happen all year round. People in poor health are visited or given rides. Habitat for Humanity – comprised in part of members of Esperanza and other Lutheran congregations in the valley – builds homes for deserving families that just need a little help. I-Help provides meals for the homeless in our community. And even our younger members participate in supporting these things.

So I’m reminded in this season, as we look ahead to what’s coming next, we can’t lose sight of what’s happening right in front of us. Because the ministry of the church isn’t just in what’s to come, it’s also in what is happening in and amongst us right now. So thank you all for the ways you’re doing the work right now, and as we look to what’s next, know that what we do now helps us get to what’s next. And in all these things, God’s Holy Spirit gifts us with joy and hope for all that is before us, and all that is to come.

Pastor Chris