M o n t h l y N e w s f r o m F P C Ty l e r • Vo l u m e 1 1 , I s s u e 4 : A p r i l 2 0 1 6
Christ is risen, let’s go to work! By The Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Now what? Always in the Christian faith comes the question, “Now what?” It is tempting to say that the last word is “He is risen indeed,” but somewhere in the back of our minds, we know that’s not all there is to say. When I applied to Davidson College for admission in the fall of 1976, all applicants were required to respond to a statement in the college’s vision statement that said something like, “Jesus Christ, in his life, death, and resurrection, is the center of human history.” I don’t believe the admissions officers were as concerned with exactly what applicants said in response to this statement, as much as they were concerned that applicants wrestled with it in some meaningful way. I mention this now because it is in-
structive for our post-Easter faith. While we believe that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the final word God has spoken to a broken and estranged world; and while we believe that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ shows us the end—that is to say the ultimate purpose—of human history, we do not believe that history ends with the resurrection. Rather, we believe that the resurrection stands at the center of human history. Therefore, in the weeks after Easter, the exact right question is, “Now what?” Our faith does not stop at the cross and the empty tomb; in a very real sense, our faith starts at the foot of the cross and the mouth of the empty tomb. It’s not just, “Christ is risen, let’s go to lunch.” Instead, it’s “Christ is risen, let’s get to work.” It’s “Christ is risen, now therefore…” Alleluia!
i n t h i s i s s u e | h i g h l i g h t s & f e at u r e s Kirkin’ of the Tartans | April 17
Planning it YOUR Way | April 10
Crawfish Boil | April 23
A procession of tartan plaid and bagpipes celebrating our church’s Scottish heritage.
Luncheon on how to plan for life changes that eventually we will all face.
Gather with the men of FPC Tyler for a crawfish boil and fellowship. First Presbyterian Church of Tyler, Texas 230 West Rusk Street, Tyler, Texas 75701-1696 (903) 597-6317 | www.fpctyler.com