Special Easter Message From Bishop B. Penrose Hoover

The proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central message of the Christian faith. It is a message of radical hope and promise, assuring us that God does not abandon us even in times of greatest anxiety and danger. The morning light at the empty tomb dispels the darkness of death and despair and gives us a foretaste of God's assurance of eternal life.  

  

But this assurance is not limited to the future that God gives. The hope it brings sustains us in the face of illness and fear here and now.  And there is much fear and anxiety in the world and in our lives. The economy remains shaky and drastic budgetary cuts in public programs along with the inexorable increase in the price of gasoline renew fears of another economic collapse. We continue to fear the possibility of terrorist attacks and watch the violence spreading across the Middle East with trepidation. We long for renewed hope while we fear what the future may hold for us... wars and rumors of wars... nation rising against nation... famines and earthquakes in various places... In short, we fear death.

This fear is universal and particular. It takes its sharpest focus in our lives and relationships with the diagnosis of critical illness. Even with great advances in medical science, the word "cancer" still has the power to shock and stagger our emotions. Most of us have experienced this in our families or in our families of faith. This gut-wrenching experience challenges our faith and often strains our relationships with one another and with God. It is at such times that the voice of the risen Lord calls us again to hope and gives us strength to face the realities of life in a mortal world. For those who live and walk in faith, our deepest fears call forth our deepest hope.

Some time ago, I saw the following words framed and displayed in a doctor's office. These words, I think, speak directly to the hope and assurance that Easter brings and I share them with you now.

WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO

Cancer is so limited...

It cannot cripple love,

It cannot shatter hope,

It cannot corrode faith,

It cannot eat away peace,

It cannot destroy confidence,

It cannot kill friendship,

It cannot shut out memories,

It cannot silence courage,

It cannot invade the soul,

It cannot reduce eternal life,

It cannot quench the spirit,

It cannot lessen the power

Of the resurrection.

May Easter's blessed gift of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and sustain us in every circumstance of life. And may our Easter joy be reflected as we welcome one another into each new day that God gives.

Faithfully, your bishop,

+B. Penrose Hoover

Cross Life

Dr. H. can't hear much at all.  He can't go very far from his room on foot, even with his walker.  He has trouble breathing sometimes, and he admits that the aging process sometimes gets him down.  He misses going to the ocean with his family, but he can't maneuver the stairs to and from the condo where they stay. 
He enjoys the many photgraphs of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren that he proudly displays on a shelf in his small room.  And he is clear about what keeps him hopeful, even when he feels frustrated by the health problems that are plaguing him:  the Cross of Christ.

During a recent visit with Dr. H., I gave him a palm cross from our Palms to Passion Sunday observance.  He took it gently in his hand, held it up in front of his face and said, "It is the cross that makes it all possible.  I couldn't live without it."  As we shared Communion together, tears came to his eyes, and he smiled and said, "Thank you. God bless you."

Oh, the Wonderful Cross!

Oh the wonderful cross (2x)
Bids me come and die and find
that I may truly live

Oh the wonderful cross (2x)
All who gather here by grace
draw near and bless your name

At the Ecumenical Good Friday Service today, we sang this chorus by Michael W. Smith together with the stanzas of  the traditional hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," by Isaac Watts.  Members of congregations in the Hempfield area filled the nave of the Hempfield Brethren in Christ Church, and we joined in contemplating the Words that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ spoke from the Cross. 

The church was in darkness during the reading of the Seven Words.  The brief comments made by each of the pastors, and the special music provided by three soloists, were all spoken or sung from the back of the worship area. On the stage in front of us, a large, wooden cross draped in purple cloth and a crown of thorns stood in a spotlight as the central focus of our worship.  The effect was stunning. 

Sitting in darkness, gazing at the cross, heariing Jesus' words, contemplating the awesome act of love Jesus offered "for us and for our salvation" through his crucifixion is an experience of worship unlike any other.  It forces one to search deep within one's heart and recognize his or her utter unworthiness of God's grace, freely given through Jesus.  It brings you to your knees in confession and upright again in thanksgiving for the forgiveness offered "once and for all."  It gives light to your heart and soul so that the darkness of suffering, sin and death no longer have power and you can walk out into the daylight filled with peace, hope and purpose.

Oh, the Wonderful Cross!  I pray that all who read these lines will know the power and blessing of the Cross of Christ for their lives.  That is why we call this Friday "Good."

-It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming…

Every preacher dreams of preaching the "perfect" sermon. Sometimes he or she comes close, but most Sundays, because of busy weeks or insufficient inspiration, the message falls way short of "perfect". Here is a great story of a great sermon. Is the sermon "perfect"? I'll let you decide. Enjoy! And have a blessed Holy Week and Easter. -It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming…