April 10th, 2026 | Rev. Dr. Mark Charles

Dear Church,

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!

I am still so energized with the joy and energy of our Easter Sunday celebrations last week. From the beauty of sunrise at Main Beach to the beautiful music and spirit-filled worship in both the Sanctuary and Maxwell Hall, it was a fabulous morning together. Seeing our church family gathered in such numbers, joined by many guests and neighbors, was a powerful reminder of the hope of the resurrection.

Thank you for being part of such an amazing day.

But, as I always say, Easter isn't just a day on the calendar - it's a season we are called to live into! The tomb is empty, and we can now live out our call to engage in community and to share the Good News,

Our regular rhythms of connection and service are starting up again with renewed energy. I want to invite you (and encourage you) to be a part of things by jumping back into our life together. Here's a few ways to do that:

• Wednesday Night Dinners & More: These dinners and classes are the heart of our mid-week connection. Join us for a meal and stay for a study as we nourish both our bodies and our souls.

• Wesley Dinner Club: Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 16th! This is always a special time of fellowship and deep connection. This month we'll be joined by representatives from our six international mission partners.

• Shrimp Festival Volunteering: As our community prepares for the Shrimp Festival, Memorial has a massive opportunity to offer hospitality and raise some funds for our Youth Ministry. We need your help to make it all happen—let’s ensure Christ’s love "shows up" for our neighbors during this busy weekend!

This Sunday morning, we begin a new worship series that continues our Lenten theme, “Wholly Jesus.” While we spent Lent looking at the totality of Christ's life and ministry in Luke's gospel, this Easter season we are going to focus specifically on his post-resurrection encounters.

We’ll be looking at the men and women who met the risen Christ and found those moments to be hope-filled and transformative. These stories remind us that the same Jesus who met them on the road or by the seaside meets us in our everyday lives today, offering us that same radical hope and new beginning.

I am excited to see where the Holy Spirit leads us in this season of resurrection. Let’s cling to Easter hope and joy as we study, serve, and fellowship together in the weeks ahead!

Blessings,

Pastor Charlie