St. Peter's Lutheran Church

PASTOR’S MESSAGE – April 2025

We made it through the cold winter, moving our clocks to daylight saving time, and now the season of spring has arrived. The robins and geese have returned, the birds are singing, the temperature’s slowly on the rise, the tulips and daffodils have broken through the ground and baseball season has begun. Soon God’s beautiful creation will enhance with the blooming of the flowers showing off their colors. Yes, the yard work will begin, green grass will grow and need to be mowed. The creeks have all been stocked with trout and on April 1st the trout fishing season opens.

We began our Lenten Journey on Ash Wednesday, March 5th. This was the beginning of our 40-day journey to the Cross of Calvary. A period for many Christians to observe a period of fasting, prayer, repentance, self-denial and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside a time of reflection on Jesus Christ, His suffering, His sacrifice, His life, death, burial and resurrection. Before Jesus took His final trip to Jerusalem, and the cross, He prepared His disciples for the event that was to happen. Jesus disclosed Himself with the “I am” statements revealing His purpose and person.

These are found in the book of John where Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd,” “I am the Bread of life,” I am the Light of the World,” “I am the way, the truth and the life.”   These tell of Jesus’ care and love for us. In John 11:25-26, Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life, he that believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”

This is the focus of Easter. Jesus’ disciples did not understand what He was telling them. After the events, it became clear to them the meaning of Easter. Just as we see the season of Spring unfold into the abundance of summer, the resurrection of Jesus unfolded in the lives of his followers. His promise of sacrifice and His victory over death became a real lived truth - and it is ours.

Easter is the core of our faith. When we look at all of Jesus’ promises, His teaching, His care and love for us, it becomes tangible for us at Easter. It is my hope and prayer that you and your family will make Easter Worship not just a time of gathering for a meal, but a moment to stop and celebrate the truth that continues to unfold in each one of your lives. 

Jesus went to the Cross, shed His blood and died for the remission of your sins and mine, so that we can have eternal life with Him. He is the way, the truth, and life and all we have to do is to ask for forgiveness, trust, have faith and obey Him.

God bless you.

Rev. Perucy N. Butiku - Coverage Pastor