By Wendy Eaton of Independence, Missouri, USA

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

Ivy Fisher lived from 1871-1944, and was active in her congregations in Necedah, Wisconsin, and Waterloo, Iowa. Ivy reached beyond her congregational ministry by composing poems, many of which were published in the church youth magazines Autumn Leaves and Stepping Stones.

One poem, “Merry Skylark Girls,” was set to music and included in the 1957 Children’s Hymnal and used as an anthem for the girls’ program. Another poem, “The First Easter,” was included in the 1922 book of children’s poems, Homespun Rhymes.

The morning dawned, all clear and bright, That first glad Easter morning;
The lilies raised their pure, white cups, The eastern hills adorning.
The hearts of the disciples bowed, In sorrow deep and sore;
They sorrowed for their dear, dead Lord, Lest they’d see him nevermore.
The women went with spices sweet, They found the angel bright,
The empty tomb where Christ had lain, The graveclothes pure and white.
The angel said, “He whom ye seek, Within the tomb no longer lies.
Go tell to those who weep for Him, That joy may dry their weeping eyes.”
The women haste, with throbbing hearts, The news of joy to take
To the disciples bowed in grief, Their songs of praise to wake.
So, every year one day we keep In mem’ry of the day
That Jesus rose up from the tomb, And went upon his way.
And every Easter Day again The story we repeat,
How Jesus broke the bands of death, His victory complete.
And we look forth with trusting hearts Unto his glad return,
When we shall live with him on earth, And his love in full shall learn.

Prayer Phrase

“Bear one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2).

Spiritual Hunger

Jesus discerned hungers of body and spirit, and he fed them through a physical, verbal, spiritual ministry of presence. In a time of listening prayer, ask God to help you discern physical or spiritual hungers of people in your congregation, community, and global family. Invite the Spirit to move you to one hospitable act that “feeds” someone’s hunger today.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.