In this Easter time of year, we are still experiencing the joy and hope of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. All around us are signs of rebirth as humans, grass, flowers, and trees awaken from the long winter months. As the days get longer and warmer, we begin to see neighbors we have not seen since November and marvel at the greenery sprouting from the ground and on tree branches. It is Easter! It is Spring! Alleluia!
 
What better way to celebrate this time of year and to go forth from the walls of St. Luke’s than to attend a truly community-based event. To that end, we would like to invite you, your family, and your friends to attend the annual SPRING, RING AND SING Concert, Saturday, April 25th, 3:00 p.m. at Community of the Cross Lutheran Church (10701 Bloomington Ferry Rd – Bloomington).
 
This event, started by our own Alanna Teragawa some 4 – 5 years ago, brings together handbell ensembles and vocal choirs from three neighborhood churches – Oak Grove Presbyterian, Community of the Cross Lutheran Church, and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. The concert is FREE and attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food or a cash donation for VEAP.
 
At the concert you will experience each ensemble doing their own piece as well as a combined handbell, vocal choir, and a mass bell and choir pieces. And yes, you might even get a chance to participate and meet new friends from our community (Community of the Cross will be providing refreshments after the concert).
 
Come and support St. Luke’s bell and vocal ensembles but, more importantly, come join in this community gathering filled with inspirational, touching, and uplifting music.

​SPRING, RING AND SING
Saturday, April 25th
3:00 p.m.
Community of the Cross Lutheran Church

– Paul
​
As was heard on Easter Morning…

31What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:31-39

Who was it that first met Jesus?
Mary Magdelene, a woman who had been possessed by seven demons (Luke 8:2, Mark 16:9). When the Bible uses the number seven it symbolizes completion in the Jewish tradition, indicating that she was completely overwhelmed, perhaps suffering from physical or psychological illness. Experiencing the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, she was transformed from a state of total affliction to dedicated discipleship.

The one you seek will find you.
As Mary was searching for the dead body of Jesus. The Risen Jesus called her by name and invited her to share the Good News with the Disciples, who at that moment had separated themselves from the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Join St. Luke’s for this 5 Week Message Series:
Nothing Can Separate You from God’s Love

Find Freedom in God’s Love – Sunday, April 12
The fears you are hiding from cannot separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ask the Disciples behind the locked doors. (John 20:19-23)

Find Faith in God’s Love – Sunday, April 19
The doubts you may have cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ask the disciple Thomas. (John 20:24-31)

Find Purpose in God’s Love, Sunday, April 26
Any uncertainty you have cannot separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ask the disciples who went fishing. (John 21:1-14)

Find Reconciliation in God’s Love – Sunday, May 3
Any denial you make cannot separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ask Peter. (John 21:15-20)

Find Accountability in God’s Love – Sunday, May 10
Any comparison you make concerning another person cannot separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ask the Beloved Disciple. (John 21:20-25)

When in life have you felt separated from God’s Love in Christ Jesus our Lord?
It is God’s Will, that nothing can separate you, or anyone else, from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. This includes people you desire to be separated from God’s love. God cannot deny God’s self, for God is love. (1st John 4:8)