The Early Church was filled with people who witnessed and were witnesses to the Risen Christ. In many cases they gave their lives as part of that witness. Remembering this fact is one of the strongest counter arguments to any claim that the Church has lied about who Jesus is and what he represents.

Now what about us? If people observed our lives, what would we be bearing witness to by how we make our choices and how we live our lives?

The Rev. Canon Cliff Carr preaches: "We are Easter People - and Alleluia is our song! We say this because Christ has risen from the dead. But how can we see the Risen Christ? Where is it possible for us to meet him in the same way that the early disciples were able to?"

Alleluia! Christ is risen. These words are proclaimed in parishes all around the world today. What do we mean? Are we happy because one man has conquered death - or has a deeper, more profound event occurred?

The story of Jesus Passion and Resurrection is the greatest treasure that the Church posses. But the Church is not called to horde this treasure - rather it is by giving away this gift that the Church fulfills its reason for existing.

How can we make sense of what God is doing when we find ourselves in a place where we suffer? Has God abandoned us? Are we being punished?

A sermon by The Rev. Laura Howell.