Carrying the Scars Together: Why Easter is a Group Project | Shawnee Community Christian Church

We often feel pressured to “get over” things—to find closure and move on. But for most of us, the

realities of grief or disappointment don’t just go away. This week, we’re talking about the paradox of faith: the reality that we can be scared and joyful at the exact same time.

If you look at the first Easter, it wasn’t a polished ceremony. It was an earthquake, a group of terrified friends, and a lot of unanswered questions. In the “Tabitha Version” of the story, the women ran from the tomb with “fear and great joy.” They didn’t have it all figured out; they just had each other.

Resurrection doesn’t mean the “pit” never happened. Even after he was raised, Jesus still had the scars on his hands. It’s a reminder that our stories of survival and exhaustion are sacred. We don’t offer “Christianese” platitudes here; we offer a hand to hold while we navigate the messy middle together.

Shawnee Community Christian Church is a place where we practice being good neighbors. We are an Open & Affirming family that believes hope is our strongest economy. Whether you’re a long-time resident or just looking for a place to rest, there is always a seat for you at our table.

YouTube Chapters

0:00 – The “More Than One Thing” Hook: Why we don’t need closure to find peace.
1:12 – A Neighborly Story: An ex-cop, two pastors, and the arrest that turned into a friendship.
3:47 – The Story in Our Language: Reading Matthew 28—The earthquake that changed everything.
5:27 – The “Tabitha Version”: Why being a “hot mess” doesn’t disqualify you from Easter.
12:49 – Gritty Insight: Why the resurrected Jesus kept his scars (and why yours matter, too).
17:44 – A Prayer for the Neighborhood