May 2025
Jesus is Risen and we shall arise! Give God the Glory, Hallelujah! from the hymn Alleluia! Jesus is Risen! ELW# 377
I love the Easter season! I love the springtime weather, green grass sprouting, dandelions (I really only like them for a week or two…), and all the plants that emerge from the brown and dormant ground. Easter music, too, is so bright and jubilant that it changes my mood whenever I sing it or hear it. While I don’t think it’ll ever be as popular or ubiquitous as Christmas music, the big themes and meaningful lyrics are in my mind and my head more than I care to admit.
In these weeks after Easter, we will move through some of my favorite stories and themes from the Gospels. Throughout May we’ll be reading about some of Jesus’ resurrection appearances and the first days of the Early Church. These stories of hope and resurrection unfold in a time when the disciples were anxious and fearful and unsure of what would come next. Sound familiar?
Almost all of our readings in May come from the Gospel of John and the Acts of the Apostles, two New Testament books that unfold with a sense of urgency to go and tell about God’s great gift of the Holy Spirit and what Jesus has done for the whole world!
In the month of May, I’m excited to be called outside the walls of our church.
The first weekend in May will be our Minneapolis Area Synod assembly. The synod assembly is always a great opportunity to be inspired by the great work being done by ELCA congregations across our metro. I’m also excited to be reminded of the many opportunities for advocacy and action being organized by our neighbors and friends.
I’ll be away for the Festival of Homiletics in Atlanta in the middle of the week from May 12-15th, but you might not even notice because I’ll still be in worship on the Sundays before and after.
Please save the date for our first Community Cookout of the season! May 21st, we’ll be back outside to barbecue, to enjoy some classic cars and the springtime weather, and to reconnect with our neighborhood and friends.
In the midst of this season of rebirth and new life, my prayer for you and for all of us at First in this month of May is that you, too, might experience new life, inspiration and hope in the resurrection!
Thanks and peace,
Pastor Colin
