Editor’s Note: Less than two years ago, 30 members of the Nepali Anugraha Fellowship were confirmed as members of St. Johns Lutheran Church. Here, we learn how these 30 brought 50 more for a large, vibrant Easter celebration at St. Johns.

“Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!” Hearing this confession is common in American churches, but it is truly special when people professing these words are first-generation Christians. Add to this the complexities of COVID precautions—social distancing during worship, sitting together only as family during meals, wearing masks, use of sanitizer—and we get to witness a truly unique celebration. This is what happened on April 4, 2021, when believers of Nepali Anugraha Fellowship gathered together at their church—St. Johns Lutheran Church, Morganford. The occasion was Easter Sunday, and our Nepali brothers and sisters in Christ sought to celebrate and share their faith with joy.

For St. Johns Lutheran Church, the worship and witness of their Nepali members exhibited important insights of a vibrant faith community. Pastor Mike Tanney summed it up this way: “It was great to see our Nepali believers come back and celebrate Easter at Church, and they teach us something about celebrating Easter. My Nepali brothers and sisters invited and brought their family members and friends who probably are not Christian to join in Easter worship. It amazes me that they would think of doing this!”

For Nepali Christians, Easter meant that the risen Lord and His power upon believers could not be contained; instead, it had to be shared with others. Led by Nepali Evangelist Nabin Samal, over 80 Nepali attendees gathered for Easter worship at St. Johns. Evangelist Bheem Mongar preached the Easter message, and after worship, all the attendees gathered for an Easter meal.

Blessed through the St. Louis Community Foundation–sponsored “Carry Out Grant,” CFNA made Easter party meals available through its grant partner restaurant, Aya Sofia. The congregants were pleased to see rice pilaf, chicken stew, and special Turkish salad alongside some Nepali delicacies prepared by the congregants. “Wow, this was a special blessing that we did not expect. Thank you for blessing us with this delicious meal,” said Ev. Nabin as believers enjoyed the meal and Easter fellowship.

Easter Sunday signifies a living hope and inheritance into which we all are invited through the risen Lord (1 Peter 1:3). Nepali Christians at St. Johns Lutheran sought to affirm this promise by worshiping their risen Lord while fellowshiping with believers and inviting others. In their attempt to live out this Easter life, CFNA was blessed to be a partner and encourager.

Our thanks to the St. Louis Community Foundation’s “Carry Out Project” and restaurant Aya Sofia for providing Easter party meals to our Nepali friends. Our prayers of thanks and support also go to Pastor Tanney and St. Johns Lutheran Church for its New American ministry among Nepali people. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!

By Ev. Nabin Samal & Pastor Stanish Stanley

04/23/21

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Nepali Easter Celebration