By Rev. Daniel Yaw

Introduction
This would be the 3rd time around celebrating Good Friday and Easter Sunday in the midst of pandemic.  We have been talking about the restriction these past two years.  For 2022, it is like a resurrection of this celebration.

Lesser Restriction
With April, the government’s announcement that there can be more gathering in religious places of worship, it is good news for all of us.  It is indeed like a resurrection of an important event in the Christian calendar.  We thank God for the timely lifting up of certain restrictions, especially in the number of people attending and the lifting of distancing in the premises.  As long as we are healthy, we can come together.  This is a cause for rejoicing and celebration.  I look forward to this year’s event and I hope that all of us are doing so too.

Greater Rekindling
With the ability to gather in greater numbers, I also pray that there is a greater rekindling of a family spirit and the spirit of seeking the Lord.  As I thought of this day, my thoughts went to the story of the woman at the well.  Jesus interacted with her many things, among them was the confrontation of her sins (having had 5 men in her life), her search for meaning in life (always thirsty where only Jesus can quench with living water) and her realization that Jesus was the Messiah as promised and prophesied in scriptures.  Allow me to share just two thoughts in this month’s concerns.

A Thirsty Soul
When my wife had covid and when I was in close contact with a covid person living in my house, I was advised to drink plenty of water, especially coconut water.  I was very grateful that a dear brother actually drove here and brought me 3 young coconuts. (by the way, coconut juice is also one of my favorites).  It was also the many concerns shown during this time with offers of buying food for us.  I was very touched.

I wrote last month about the church and how the pandemic changed many things and among them was one’s need for another and the need to help others.  I experienced both of them during that week.  Amazing how God teaches me through life examples.

However, that drink, while wonderful as it is, tells us that there is an eternal and spiritual thirst that only God can satisfy.  This Passover and Easter were the events that mark the quenching of a spiritual thirst – the possibility of life with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.  I trust that with this celebration together, that would be our focus.

A True Worship
Then another subject was the subject of how one should worship and in a simple way, Jesus said that it is about worshipping God in spirit and in truth.  As we gather together physically again, ultimately it is not just going to a place for service but returning as a people we belong to.  The bottomline is that when we gather, we hope to encourage one another to faithfully worship God.  That worship must come from a contrite spirit and a heart of integrity. 

That is true worship – when we bring our bodies as living sacrifices to God, praising Him for the greatest thing He had done for all of us.  We find hope, we find satisfaction, we find life and we find one another in this celebration.

Conclusion
I wish all of you a wonderful and blessed celebration.  I look forward with great anticipation and joy for a great gathering.  Blessings to all.