Dear FPC Youth,
He is Risen! Hallelujah! Happy Easter, friends!
Last Thursday evening, we recorded the Easter service just before the “shelter in place” order began. Afterwards, I was chatting with Pastor Alex about how odd it will be not to worship in Church on Easter Sunday. It’s hard to not feel like something is missing – but friends, we have everything we need to celebrate Jesus right at home, or wherever we are! This week’s LivingRoom Lesson is about hope, and the story of Jesus’ resurrection is the greatest lesson in hope I can imagine. Jesus lives and walks with us every day – an especially important message right now when it feels like so much of our regular lives and routines have all gone out the window. No matter what, Jesus lives and remains with us. We are never forgotten and we are never alone. What a beautiful and reassuring message for all to hear.
I hope that you will find some time in the next few days to participate in this week’s “LivingRoom Lesson.” If you have thoughts or questions to share, please post those in the comments section below!
Rainbow
(adapted from https://thesource4ym.com/rainbow/)
Last week, our LivingRoom lesson focused on choosing JOY, even in hard times. Recall that JOY is not a destination, or freedom from struggles – but a choice that we have to make. Hope is a necessary part of this choice because when we have hope, we can be confident in our ability to persist on with joy.
Today’s lesson focuses on Kacey Musgrave’s song Rainbow. It was the last song written by Musgraves before her grandmother passed away and it was actually played at her grandmother’s funeral. This song is about hope in the midst of adversity, pointing to the rainbow as a symbol of better days to come.
The Music Video
Song Lyrics: Rainbow
When it rains, it pours
But you didn’t even notice
It ain’t rainin’ anymore
It’s hard to breathe when all you know is
The struggle of stayin’ above the risin’ water line
Well the sky has finally opened
The rain and wind stopped blowin’
But you’re stuck out in the same ol’ storm again
You hold tight to your umbrella
Well, darlin’, I’m just tryin’ to tell ya
That there’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your head
If you could see what I see
You’d be blinded by the colors
Yellow, red, and orange, and green
And at least a million others
So tie up the boat, take off your coat, and take a look around
‘Cause the sky has finally opened
The rain and wind stopped blowin’
But you’re stuck out in the same ol’ storm again
You hold tight to your umbrella
Well, darlin’, I’m just tryin’ to tell ya
That there’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your head
Oh, tie up the boat, take off your coat, and take a look around
Everything is alright now
‘Cause the sky has finally opened
The rain and wind stopped blowin’
But you’re stuck out in the same ol’ storm again
Let go of your umbrella
‘Cause, darlin’, I’m just tryin’ to tell ya
That there’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your head
Yeah, there’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your head
For Reflection and Discussion
- Can you remember the last time when you saw a rainbow in the sky? What was the first thing you did when you saw it?
- Read the following verse:God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” (Genesis 9:12-13, NRSV)
What was God’s purpose in the rainbow? What do you believe God wants us to think when we see a rainbow? How does this relate to the rainbow Kacey describes in her song?
- Consider this passage about the first Easter morning:
Luke 24:1-12 (NRSV)
The Resurrection of JesusBut on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
In the song “Rainbow,”, Kacey sings:
The rain and wind stopped blowin’
But you’re stuck out in the same ol’ storm again
Let go of your umbrella
‘Cause, darlin’, I’m just tryin’ to tell ya
That there’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your headThe women arriving at the tomb that morning remind me of these lines in the song. The women are so consumed with sadness and grief that they have forgotten what Jesus promised them. Even the disciples can’t believe it and rush back to see for themselves. They are so used to the rain (the pain of Jesus’ death), that they have forgotten to look for the rainbow (his resurrection).
- Kacey says “you’re stuck out in the same ol’ storm again” – in other words, you’re deep in a struggle that would be so much easier if you just look up or ask for help. Of course, we like to feel control in our lives, and our own stubbornness can make us slow to look beyond ourselves, especially when we are struggling. Does this remind you of any areas in your own life? What are your rainbows and how do you let go of the umbrella to find them?
Closing Thoughts
A few times last week, I noticed people were posting pictures of rainbows they had seen on Facebook. It seemed like people were eager for good news and signs up hope during this difficult and uncertain time. It’s hard to think of a better symbol of hope than the rainbow – and there’s no greater story of hope than the Easter story. We aren’t promised an easy, uncomplicated life – but we are promised the presence of God in our lives through every high and every low. On Easter, we rejoice because through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we know we can have eternal life with Him. All we have to do is let go of our umbrellas to find His rainbow, His promise that He never gives up on us or leaves us.
Blessings to you on Easter and always,
Karen
**Ongoing Outreach Activity Challenge**
As you probably know, many people who live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities are not allowed to have any visitors at this time. This week, I challenge our FPC families to send cards/letters to members of our FPC congregation in local care facilities! The following members would love to hear from you and you can find their addresses in the PFC directory – if you need an electronic copy emailed to you, please write me at kanthony@fayettepcusa.org and I’ll be happy to send you one!
Please write to:
Ellen Rodriguez
Bill Moses
Linda McNeill
Jack Mahaffey
Yvonne Olson
Berkeley Stonebraker