Happy Easter, Substack Community!
Jesus is Risen.
He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia.
I’m not preaching in my local church this Sunday. Instead, I’ll get to hear the Easter message this morning from our lead pastor, Sara Spohr. I can’t wait!
I hope you get a chance to worship in your local community today, with people you love.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to share a short Easter video message right here on Substack with all of you. It felt like a time to share some joy and encouragement. I hope you enjoy it.
Love,
Angela
PRAYER
Dear God,
Today, as we remember Jesus’ resurrection - we remember too how the story has been handed down over 2,2025 years. We give thanks, God, that you hear us. That you hear those who the world ignores. That you have entrusted Your story to those who are too often unheard and rejected. Help us to take heart when we are unheard and ignored, and help us to listen as you listen.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
AMEN
An Invitation
A Community that prays for one another is transformed by the power of the Spirit. We’ve been praying for and with each other now for over two years! About once a quarter, I will re-start this space for prayer requests and praises. Please email with your own requests and I will share here with your permission!
Today is Easter Sunday. We will re-start requests next week. Please do send your requests to add here to the list!
For all in local faith communities: ministers, music leaders, staff, volunteers, all who prepared to acknowledge Holy Week and Easter with worship and service, might you give them strength and rest and assurance this week, that they are doing the work you call them to do. Give them space as well to rest and give thanks for the gifts of this season.
I pray especially as I prepare for this new book launch, that my words might be blessed by the Holy Spirit, and that as I communicate my research and work into boys and men, and a vision of masculinity grounded in Jesus’ love, I might be heard and accepted - and I might communicate openly and honestly and without reservation.
May we remember that sin is not only individual and personal but also collective and shared, and help us to find ways to confess all kinds of sin, even the kinds that seem invisible or disconnected from our individual lives.
For all those for whom the language of sin and guilt has been weaponized again by those in power, may they know freedom and liberation.
We pray for immigrants, migrants, and all those who are undocumented. May they be given sanctuary and support in America. May our churches find ways to resist the politics of demonization of immigrants.
For all who are seeking community in their neighborhoods and local environs: may we find grassroots ways to be together in person and know one another in love and support.
For American federal government employees: may they continue to do their work with dignity and honesty and without the threat of political retribution. Also for aid workers and organizations who have been threatened and who have lost their funding access: that they may be given pathways forward to continue their work.
For brave faith leaders who dare to speak out against powerful political leaders
As we continue into the New Year, we pray with deep sighs for the war and death and violence in the Holy Land. We continue to pray for an end to escalating violence in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and throughout the Middle East - as well as in Sudan and Yemen. May world leaders prioritize peace over power, and mercy over might. May those who cry out for justice and an end to war be protected and heard.
For all immigrants and migrants around the world, far from home, seeking a new and safe homeland. Might they be embraced where they go, offered assistance and solidarity and friendship.
Be with all American lawmakers in this time of political upheavals and corruption by business leaders and wealthy individuals. Give them courage to speak truth and govern with care for humanity and life.
For so many loved ones of mine who have recently been diagnosed with cancer and are undergoing treatment. May they have caring and high-quality care, rest as needed, and loving support of family and friends.
We also pray for all those who are caring for loved ones who are going through myriad health challenges, including mental health and addiction. Grant them rest and relief in the midst of difficult and tiring times.
For those who continue to live and fight in Ukraine, that the world will not turn away its attention from the plight of Ukrainians and their stand against authoritarian Russia.
For all those who don’t have a safe place to live or enough food to eat, that they might be first and receive what they need.
For all around the world who face persecution for their religious beliefs, especially for religious minorities in places where governments sanction religion-based violence
For Christians to be emboldened to speak out courageously against anti-semitism and to acknowledge how we have been complicit in anti-semitic actions and speech against our Jewish siblings
For governments and leaders to prioritize climate change solutions and not be only ruled by profit or big business
For all those who don’t have a safe and warm place to sleep at night, that they might have shelter, and that people might work for more affordable housing
For journalists, who risk their lives and livelihood to write and report truth - even against the wishes of media ownership and administration
For all the concerns deep on our hearts, that you hear and know and acknowledge, we pray …
From Palm Sunday to Maundy Thursday to Good Friday to Easter morning today, dear God, we pray for our awareness of your presence, and for our joy in your resurrection!
In Jesus’ name we pray,
AMEN
This special edition of the Sunday Stretch for Easter Sunday is offered to all subscribers free-of-charge. To receive the Sunday Stretch each week in your inbox, please prayerfully consider a paid subscription.
P.S. …
A Few Notes:
First, a huge THANK YOU to all subscribers. I get a little email notification every time someone signs up, and every time I get one, I feel joyful and honored that you want to spend part of your day with this community. I mean it when I say: “I’m listening,” to you as well, and please don’t hesitate to share with me your thoughts + ideas for what you’d like to read in this space.
To PAID SUBSCRIBERS: I am humbled and honored that you’ve chosen to spend part of your limited budget on this newsletter. To borrow words from another newsletter I love, you are directly funding freelance journalism with your subscription, and I have to thank you more than ever for your continued support. Our world’s media and journalism is in a state of crisis, with fewer and fewer billionaires in control of global news outlets, and journalists being either laid off or threatened with violence for their work every single day; with fewer and fewer newsroom positions paying a living wage. I pledge to you to steward your paid subscription faithfully + use it to support honest, hard-working, and LOCAL journalism. One of my goals in this first year is to open this newsletter to other journalists, and pay them a fair wage for their work.
THANK YOU for your support. If you’re not a paid subscriber, please consider becoming one.
On free vs. paid-subscriber posts only: My plan right now is that the Friday + Sunday posts, focusing on news + spirituality, in that order, are available for subscribers only (I am going to continue sharing a sample, with a line where the paywall cuts off for our paid subscriber community). My plan is that the Tuesday blog-style posts will always be free, to enable as much access as possible, while creating a smaller and more intimate experience for paid subscribers, who are also able to comment and share in community in fuller ways.
Free Trial: Substack always offers a free week-long trial subscription to this newsletter, so you can get a taste of the Friday + Sunday posts and see if you’d like to subscribe!
If a paid subscription is a hardship for you, but you’d like access to the Friday + Sunday posts: PLEASE do not hesitate to reach out. I will be happy to provide a complimentary subscription for you.
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