One of the puzzling little mysteries of the Easter story is why the apostles were still hanging around in Jerusalem on that first Easter day. It does not make much sense if they were as filled with fear and despair as they are usually assumed to have been. After all, they had seen their beloved master crucified, dead, and buried. Jesus had been killed by the Roman and Jewish authorities, and there was every reason to believe that these would be out looking for any of his followers. The apostles had fled from the garden when Jesus was arrested, and Peter had denied knowing him. There were women at the Crucifixion, but only one apostle mentioned there. The apostles almost certainly believed that if they turned up they would also be seized. The sensible thing would have been for them to get as far away from Jerusalem as quickly as they could, and to disappear. So why do we find them still in Jerusalem on that Easter morning?

We could say that they were waiting for the Feast of the Passover to end before leaving; but people scared for their lives are hardly likely to be waiting around for the end of a festival. Perhaps they were waiting to leave with the exiting Passover visitors in the hope of getting lost in the crowd; but that would be a risky plan if they thought the authorities were out seeking them. Perhaps the real answer is that they were waiting. But waiting for what? We know that when they were told by the women who had gone to the tomb that Jesus had risen from the dead they did not believe it at first. Yet Jesus had himself told them on more than one occasion that he must die, but that his death would not be the last word. Perhaps that is the key. They would have remembered what he said, but not understood what it meant. We are so used to looking back at these events as the Resurrection that we assume that either they would have believed that he would rise from the dead or that they did not believe it. It was probably a lot less clear than that to the apostles. In their hearts they knew that Jesus’ promise meant something, but they did not know what. Only when confronted with the reality of his resurrection, did they grasp the real meaning of his words.

Our lives are very similar. We know that God speaks to us in many different ways, through prayer, through the scriptures, through the sacraments, and above all through the Holy Spirit. And we try as best we can to hear that voice and to understand what it is saying to us. Sometimes we interpret it too quickly; sometimes we are slow to recognize it. For all of us there comes a time when we realize what it was saying to us, and we can then look back and see how things fitted together. It is rare in our lives that we consciously come to great crossroads, and see life-making choices lying before us. Usually we look back and see that we were at a crossroads, and we did make a choice that affected our lives. Not knowing exactly what lies before us at every point really does not matter if we have faith. We may only see something hazily, or even not at all; but if we trust in God’s promises to us that is enough to go forward. Perhaps like the Apostles on that first Easter morning we are just hoping, without knowing exactly what it is we are hoping for. Yet nothing could have been more wonderful than the light that dawned on them when they realized that Christ had risen from the dead. For us as for them God will in his own good time make all things clear.

It is a very human thing to want certainty. Yet faith is ultimately about the uncertain.

Easter is about the revelation of that which was uncertain or hidden, in a way that takes our breath away. From all eternity God’s plan was for us to be raised from the dead also, to join him in paradise with the saints and those who have gone before us. Easter is about

a love for us so great and awesome that it can be patient and let us work through our blunderings and uncertainties, knowing that when we finally see it revealed we shall understand all of the different paths we took, all of the decisions we made, and how all of them are used by God to bring us home to him. At Easter God says to us that even if we hide like the Apostles, he will make all things clear. In the resurrection of Jesus Christ God promises to us our own resurrection. The allelulias we shout at Easter are for the risen Christ. Now we shout them here. One day we shall shout them with him.

Allelulia, Christ is risen!

The group has been discussing the different ways we can reach out to a more diverse population. A couple of us will be occasionally attending mass at and meeting with the pastors of other churches throughout Milwaukee to gain some insight as to what other parishes offer, and also how they gain and keep their new members!
Marge and Dana have been hard at work setting up Dale Kastberg's Washington National Cathedral Presentation at our very own St. Luke's for Sunday, April 6th at 10:30am, immediately after mass. This will be a wonderful and interesting event! We'd love to have a big St. Luke's crowd and are expecting a large community turnout; make sure to reserve your spot!
We are working on selecting a couple different designs to have made into St. Luke's T-Shirts that will be available for purchase. What better way for us to advertise our amazing church family than by showing off our "colors!"
We were thinking of putting together a grounds and garden clean-up day and preceding or following the event with a sort of picnic/pot luck breakfast or lunch. What are your thoughts? Let's all get St. Luke's ready for the coming season!
How many of you have Hostas or Day Lillies coming out of your ears?! A great opportunity to get rid of a couple pots and try something new would be for us to host a Community Perrenial Plant Swap! No purchasing, only swapping--what do you think?
When was the last time you tailgated at a Brewer Game?? If you're like me, it was before the old Stadium was the new Stadium. (I know!! THAT long!) We were thinking of having some good, old American fun and getting a couple grills, a couple brats, and a big group together to go and catch an afternoon game this season. Let us know if you're interested because this could be the event the neighbors will talk about for years to come!
We've been thinking of doing a little re-vamping to the St. Luke's Church website to stay on top of the research trends of the "young family" crowd. Have you seen any websites (church or not) that really caught your eye? If so, email a link to Jamie or Larry. Thanks!

Our next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, April 13th after church and we would love to have anyone and everyone contribute their time or even just their ideas to how we can all help to grow the St. Luke's family! This is everyone's job! :-) Outreach Quote of the Month: "Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us everyday." - Sally Koch

Treasurer’s Report February 2008
Income $7,990.39 Expense $16,103.21 Difference $(-8,112.82)

For those who want a more formal marker of becoming an Episcopalian, there will be a regional Confirmation and Reception Service at Good Shepherd Church in Sun Prairie on June 18^th.

Everyone has a favorite hymn or two. Please submit your favorite with a short note, if desired, as to why the hymn is your favorite. During the summer months at the offertory, a parishioner’s favorite will be sung. The selection process will remain secret to avoid stuffing the ballot box which will be in the foyer of the church.

Title of hymn ____________________Your Name _________________________

Why this is your favorite hymn (25 words or less)

SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN

There will be a youth leader conference featuring Betsy Boyd, coordinator of youth ministries at the Episcopal Church Center.