"Jesus lives and resurrection hope beckons. Jesus' resurrection on the third day signals that God is not finished until the life of Jesus renews the whole creation," ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson writes in his Easter message to the church.

"Sinners once haunted by the threats of judgment will live forgiven, restored, renewed and freed. All lives broken by sin's injustices and haunted by death's terrors will be transformed by joy and transfigured into the new creation in Christ," the presiding bishop writes.

View the entire message online at the ELCA website.