THE EASTER CHURCH -- Part Three

Easter Sunday morning at The Neighborhood Church is iconic.  Do you remember the movie Brother Sun, Sister Moon?  It is the story of St. Francis, produced in the ‘70’s.  There is a scene in the movie, where Francis and his brothers have finished the repairs on the small church of San Damiano.  It is its inaugural worship service.  All kinds of poor gather, hurrying toward this place where anyone is welcome.  Easter Sunday at Neighborhood always reminds me of that movie. 

Our small worship center is full.  All ages sit together, whole families.  There is a sense of expectation, happy to gather.  We aren’t too religious, and so the shout that “He is Risen” doesn’t always bring a resounding, “He is risen indeed”!  We’re still learning.  Our pastors have arrived before dawn to set up the swimming pool outside on the patio.  Over the years they have figured out how to make the water a little warm.  Worship and a short but noisy message leads us outside to the pool.  Many will be baptized this Easter Sunday.

I met with a woman today.  She wants to be baptized.  We sat on two plastic tubs in her 400 sq. foot home.  She described her journey toward today.  Marvelous … nothing in her background would suggest that she had been protected, nurtured, mentored … nothing.  Yet, somehow, after years of seeking and being sought, this young grandmother has found Jesus.  And she has found us.  She told me today, that she has been around the ministry quite a bit.  “What sort of place is this”? she asked herself.  “A school, a service center?  Why does everyone call it ‘church’ ”?  Tonight she will write her story for all to hear tomorrow.  She is nervous … but so filled with life.  After years of trouble, wandering and sorrow, she has found her heart’s home.  She has found Jesus, better said, she has been found by Him.