Welcome. The Easter season is fifty days, a week of weeks. Our focus is the presence of the risen Christ, and the resulting discovery of new life for ourselves. Our worship format is contemporary at all three services. Our choir is away at St. Mark’s in Wilmington for its annual exchange. Today’s keyword is "understand." The Gospel describes the risen Jesus opening the minds of the disciples to understand the Scriptures. What does understanding mean to us? How do you understand the Scriptures? How are we called to manifest an inspired understanding in God’s world? Gospel Lesson Luke 24:36-48 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. Technorati tags:religion, church, bible, sermon, theology, beach, rehoboth, delaware, united, methodist, epworth, reconciling, ministries, network, community, open, heart, mind, john, 24:36-48, easter, luke Less