April 16, 2017. The Easter story may be hard to believe, but it rings true. Pastor Penny talks today about Mary Magdalene, the first person to see Jesus alive after his resurrection. Suddenly she had a future, and she could go through life confidently sharing the good news. We’re like Mary. As Jesus called her by name, so he is calling us. He wants us too to share in word and deed this Easter hope.
*** [Keywords: Easter Easter story changes us Garden of Eden Garden of the Resurrection God called us by name God is holding us God planted us God’s precious planting Gospel Jesus cured her Jesus himself appears Jesus understands grief Magdala Mary believes Pastor Penny Holste agonizing death all four Gospels all she has left of Jesus always hanging on always searching anchored approached the tomb ascend to the Father avid gardeners baptism because they’ve taken the body boy walking with grandfather cast out seven demons cloths wrapped around commissioned concern for the body confidently through life cross crying outside tomb did not share hope disciple dismiss friends’ encouragement does not recognize him doesn’t recognize them everything you need expected worst experience of humanity we cannot avoid experienced human life famous Roman statesman Cicero far as he could see first Easter first person to see Jesus alive flourish follow me for balance excitement success security for the future for us too frame of mind fruit that isn’t so good garden and a library garden was quiet gardening as a chore get on the team get that scholarship go to my brothers good fruit good place or bad place grace of God gratefully great apostle great place to be the garden green tall strong trees grow handkerchief rolled up carefully hang on to him physically hard to believe held comforted strengthened by Jesus’ spirit her lord her teacher friend beloved leader hold onto the past hope and prayer instinctively grabs hold is this orchard dying lay someone we love to rest in grave leaves reaching up lives are like orchard lost him once lump must be cancer maybe I’ll be lonely mental illness messengers of hope mourn a dead body mourn at Jesus’ tomb must have stolen his body my Father and your Father my God and your God never really notice not all we have not good enough for job not like robber would do old story one again with God only hope orchard our lives matter outcast in society pain in Mary’s soul planted in God’s garden power of the Holy Spirit rated gardens right up there with library reason to believe recognizes that voice reconnected records of the church recreating relationship between human beings and God resurrection reunited rich soil rings true rival Peter rock over entrance had been rolled away roots go down deep scrubby looking send her his spirit sermon share in word and especially in deed sharing good news sins are forgiven solitary figure sometimes both spring blossoms around us tall and strong things we love this Easter hope this joy this message this promise those that have gone before us those we love took her sad news took his body top of the ridge two angels until he calls her name Mary use this life vast forest into eternity very hard things victory over death and evil we are like Mary we are like a tree wept at tomb of Lazarus who are you looking for why are you crying without going in woman named Mary Magdalene wonderful things 2017]