Dear Kris,

This Sunday, we gather around John 20:19-31, where the risen Christ appears to his disciples, first without and then with Thomas present. In this powerful passage, we witness the transformation of fear into faith, doubt into declaration.

In our own lives, we may sometimes feel like those disciples locked away in fear, uncertainty, or doubt. Or perhaps we relate to Thomas, needing tangible proof before we can fully believe. Wherever you find yourself today, remember that Christ meets us exactly where we are, offering his peace, presence, and patient understanding.

Whether you're new to faith, been here "forever," questioning, or seeking a spiritual community that celebrates the humanity of all kinds of people and God's good creation, this is a congregation that welcomed you as you are. So come as you are! This Easter season we celebrate that you are worthy of God's power to overcome sin and death in your life and in our community. 

Yours in this Easter season of celebration,

Pastor Annanda 

Please join us immediately following the Sunday service for our Coffee Hour

(in-person in Trinity Court or online via Zoom).

bit.ly/SVPCCoffeeHour

Theme for Sunday

"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."

Plato

John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the Twin[a]), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.