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Easter service messages offer hope and healing By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune In a time of turmoil, with the war on terrorism in Afghanistan and daily suicide bombings in Israel, local pastors will be preaching a message of hope to their congregations during Easter services today. Joyce DeGraaff, pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Medford, says her theme is about life's little resurrections. She says the resurrection of Jesus Christ can inspire people to believe in what feels impossible right now. "We have an opportunity to experience our own resurrection; we're given another chance to heal," she says. Even in Afghanistan, healing has begun since the fall of the Taliban. Schools have been reopening - even for girls - and the people have been making the most of what they have. "They've taken empty artillery shells and made school bells out of them," she says. Dan Mickelson, pastor at the New Song Church, which meets at Phoenix High School, says he will encourage his congregation to focus on the hope inherent in the Easter message. "Jesus said twice in the resurrection story, 'Don't be afraid,' " says Mickelson. "The resurrection of Jesus Christ and the fact that he's alive is the answer to fear, to all fear," he says. Jeff Anderson, pastor at the Assembly of God Church in Central Point, points out that violence in the Middle East certainly is not new. He sees the cure for all troubles as the same: to become reconciled with God and let Christ make a difference in personal lives. "The world is reflecting right now that we are not reconciled with God because we are not reconciled with one another," he says. Anderson says he will not be preaching today but instead offering an illustrated message in the form of a multimedia performance. The production, which he co-wrote, is called "The Box of Stones." It illustrates the belief that people can seek a number of ways to relieve their burdens - as represented by a box of stones - but it's only Christ who can truly help carry the load. Anderson says he hears from a lot of people asking questions and wanting hope for their personal lives. "You can only get so much hope from an Easter egg or a chocolate bunny," he says. Bob Brown, pastor at the First Baptist Church in Medford, says the focus of his sermon is that during the crucifixion, Christ didn't say "I am finished," but "It is finished." He will be posing the question: So what is the "it"? "God's riches at Christ's expense, that's what Easter is, that's the 'it,' " says Brown. He says Christ paid the admission fee for everyone by shedding his blood on the cross for the sins of the world. "We get to Heaven on his ticket," he said, adding, "That's why he went to the cross." For DeGraaff, it's important to pray for peace in the midst of what's happening in the world. "I think all of us are being challenged," she says, "and we need reminders that hope is still alive and God is with us." Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2002 Mail Tribune, Inc.