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Community Meal

April 1, 2026

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is that Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)

Members and Friends of Valley,

A classmate from college recently posted a piece online entitled, “What my wife and four daughters taught me about empathy.” After having grown up as an only child, now living as an adult in a household with five females has changed his way of thinking – and acting. Empathy, he says, is not just a “Head” issue – knowing what someone else is feeling. It is, also, not only a “Heart” issue – feeling the depth of their emotions. It is, also, a “Hands” issue – being prepared to and then doing something about it; putting in the effort.

I think many of us are, at this moment, asking of ourselves, our faith communities, our neighborhoods, our nation, and even our species: “What can we do about it?” One narrative that has gained traction is that empathy is not the answer: that we need to be looking out first for ourselves, and for those nearest to us or most like us. Let others deal with their own problems, some say; otherwise, we are just coddling or enabling them.

In these concluding verses of John, chapter 20 – from which we will read the story of Jesus rising from the tomb on Easter morning this Sunday – the author refers to signs that Jesus did during his earthly ministry. Some of these we remember well – he healed the sick and fed the hungry; he walked on water and calmed the stormy seas; he welcomed strangers and outcasts and even brought his friend Lazarus back from the dead. Beyond these, we are told, he did even more amazing things, all so that we could believe who he was and have life – life in abundance, as Jesus calls it – in his name.

In John’s gospel, these amazing acts of Jesus are called “signs” because they point to something important about who Jesus was. He knew that others were hurting; he felt their pain; and he chose to do something about it: welcoming and accepting them for who they were; seeing their physical and emotional needs; healing their bodies so they could be restored to their communities. All acts of deep empathy; of head, heart, and hands.

On this Easter Sunday, our church – like many around the country – offers one way to answer the question, “what can we do?” The One Great Hour of Sharing special offering helps to fund global and national development and relief efforts in situations of disaster recovery, immigration, climate change, hunger, and poverty. This is a way to use our gifts to give others the opportunity to live abundant lives.

In the midst of this Holy Week, when so many are hurting in so many different ways, we seek to follow in the footsteps of our Lord, Jesus, who transformed suffering into glory; who provides us signs to point the way towards faithful and fruitful living.

In Christ,
Pastor John

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