ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 30, 2013  

2013 Easter Message From ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson
13-16-CHB

      CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In his 2013 Easter Message, the Rev. Mark S.
Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA), shares the promise of forgiveness and reconciliation with the
more than 4-million members of this church.
      The full text of the presiding bishop's message follows:

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Easter. It is about more than an open tomb. It is the good news of the
risen Christ who opens lives.

Think about Jesus' friends after his death. Their lives were closed down
by fear, disappointment and confusion. The risen Christ appeared
saying "peace be with you" and opened their lives with a liberating word
of reconciliation. In the same way Christ opens your life with a
baptismal promise that joins your life to his death and
resurrection. "You are my child. Nothing in all creation will separate
you from my love."

Even now Christ is opening your life, your daily work, your passions and
imagination. Christ is opening your daily life into a holy calling that
fills the world with love. At the Lord's table, Christ is opening you
into a community that can bear even suffering with confidence, and sorrow
with hope.

The risen Christ opens the Scriptures -- the full depth of God's promise
made to Sarah and Abraham now coming to life in the new creation. Even
when everything else is being stripped away, the risen Christ opens you
to God's promised future.

Christ opens you to God's work of forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus
Christ, raised from the dead, is opening this way of life for you.

In God's grace,
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

      View the video version of the 2013 Easter message at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwaKrib-oCg&list=PLC4E2E3CA2B79AA24
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United
States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations
across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church
of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God
through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the
world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church
reformer, Martin Luther.

For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.ELCA.org/news
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Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com