Easter message 2026
Dear Friends
During Lent it has been wonderful to see all the outreach and mission going on in our churches and our determination to share God's love and Good News.
From the baby who comes to a parent and toddler group in a pushchair, the school child coming to learn about the Easter story, the young parent eager for Bible Study, to the older person who can only make it on a Sunday if they get a lift from a friend - whether at GB or BB, coffee bar or craft group, at midweek worship or on a Sunday, all who come to our churches are welcome, this Easter, to share in the resurrection of Jesus our Saviour.
Jesus' road to the cross was traumatic, painful and exhausting, but that is not the end of the story. Jesus faces all sorts of violence and then death, but the power of God's transforming love has the last word - more powerful than the disciples' deepest fears.
The resurrection is good news for everyone across the centuries and when I see children whose lives are increasingly complicated by technology or see other issues like violence or crime in the news, I am reminded that the message and work of our churches is vital - an essential sign of resurrection in our midst.
John Wesley emphasised God's grace for every person - not just a privileged few - and St Paul writes to the church in Rome, "if God is for us who can be against us?"
Jesus is there to greet each and every person this Easter, with a word on his lips, as he had a word on his lips for Mary in the garden. As for Mary, that word is our name, spoken in his voice - more lovingly than we could ever imagined our name to be spoken - spoken to us over two thousand years and through death itself.
May our risen Saviour lift us into resurrection life and bless all those entrusted to our care this Easter, and in the year ahead.
With love and blessings!
Stephen
- Short Cross Methodist Church
- Attwood Street
- Halesowen
- B63 3UE