Author: FELC Office

As we enter the final week of the fifty days of Easter, we engage a potentially unsettling Bible story: Jesus ascends into heaven forty days after his resurrection from the dead. Yet, his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. The disciples were told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus. On this Ascension celebration, one of the major feasts of the Church, we find Christ’s presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the Easter feast. From that feast we go to live abundantly, to commit to acts of service and care, and to love freely. This Easter faith is active and real. We long for the Spirit to invigorate God’s mission in us. Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! We welcome Leigh Northcutt-Benson, president of the congregation, as our preacher this Sunday.

Join Austin Cantorum at FELC exploring choral music that celebrates regional cuisine, reflects on the nature of hunger, and examines what it means to have a purposeful relationship with the food we eat. Two universal languages: music and food (!) with a non-perishable canned food drive to benefit the Central Texas Food Bank. Admission is FREE; suggested donation of $25. RSVP today at AustinCantorum.com.

 As we enter the final weeks of the Easter season, Jesus does not abandon his followers. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to abide with his disciples of every generation. As Pentecost draws near, we are reminded that the risen Christ dwells in us as the Spirit. We receive this Spirit and pray that in our gathering around the Lord’s table the Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the world. Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
 

As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, the gospel story this week includes Jesus’ promise that he goes to prepare a place in his Father’s house. We are called to share Jesus’ mission in the world. We are called to proclaim the one who called us out of the shadows into the fullness of light. In words and deeds or service, healing, and justice-making we bear witness to the risen Christ—who is our way, and truth, and life. Today we welcome new members to this congregation community. Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

This Sunday is called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Jesus is called the “gate” of the sheep in the gospel story. The risen Christ is abundant life now. Christ anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the waters of our baptism. Each Sunday Christ spreads a feast before us amid the world’s violence and war. We live as signs of the resurrection and extend God’s tender care in all creation. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

The gospel story on the third Sunday of Easter begins with two disciples walking to the town of Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem them! Yet the risen Christ walks with them and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears as bread is broken and wine is poured. The story of Emmaus becomes the pattern of our worship each Lord’s Day. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
 

Henry Purcell is deservedly known as England’s greatest composer before Edward Elgar and Ralph Vaughan Williams. His music is used often in movie soundtracks and his operas are revived frequently on international stages. Join our music partner, Texas Early Music Project, as they end their 2025-2026 season with music from Purcell’s eclectic repertoire for the theater, the opera, the court, the sanctuary, and the pub. Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 PM or Sunday, April 19 at 3:00 PM at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2111 Alexander Ave., 78722. To purchase tickets, visit www.early-music.org.

Christ is risen! It is often hard to believe, to actually trust. Because believing is challenging, we will invest ourselves in the Easter mystery for fifty days (a week of weeks). Faith is an investment. The stories of John the Evangelist provide sign after sign celebrating Jesus’ victory over death. We are invited to recognize Christ’s presence all around us, and then serving Christ’s life-changing peace in all the world. Christ’s mind, hands, feet, and body in the world come to life through us and through all creation. Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

We are grateful to God for all in this community, including those that enlivened worship, learning, witness, and service in Lent, Holy Week, and on Easter Day:  

– for those who welcomed everyone who visited this community, including for the first time;

– for Terry Porter, who fashioned the Easter Cross from a previous Christmas tree;

– for Teresa Ringness, for the gift of Easter Lilies in memory of her son, Jeffrey David Tice;

– for JP Northcutt-Benson, who produced 14 worship services on livestream in this season;

– for those who steward God’s creation, this campus, & God’s resources;

– for those who prepared & shared Easter bags, hospitality time, & the Easter Egg Hunt;

– for those who prepared & served food for the hungry through Micah 6 & LuMin;

– for those who donated to the mission, engagement, & benevolence of this congregation;

– for those who offered the gifts of art, music, poetry, preaching, & planning to glorify God;

– for the gifts of wisdom & wonder from children to elders;

– for those who advocate, heal, teach, protect, care, & serve in & through this congregation;

– for those who work, pray, & protest for peace & justice;

– for every blessing of life.

The Easter season is the church’s fifty day celebration of the resurrection of Christ. It is the time of greatest joy as we gather in the good news of Christ’s victory over death and the power of God to renew our lives. In the tradition of the whole church, it was also the time for the newly baptized to deepen their connection to Christ and to experience the mystery of new life as a gift of grace. With women at the empty tomb of Jesus, we are astonished, elated, and grateful. God’s steadfast love is forever! Alleluia!

Click here for a Holy Week and Easter worship schedule.