Hello All.
My absolute favourite holiday and church service is Resurrection Sunday! Unfortunately, it is the start of the vacation season here and most people go out of town. I think we experienced more culture shock on our first Easter here than at any other time. Over the years we have come to expect low numbers and brace ourselves for the lack of enthusiasm. But this year was the best yet. I knew several folks were away, but I was still praying for 30 in the service. Mary Anne was praying for first time visitors. Praise the Lord He answered both requests!
This year we built a facade of the Garden Tomb. It measured 7ft tall and 5 1/2 ft wide. I made a recessed doorway and painted the panel black to give it ‘depth.’ Ms. Goodwin would be very proud 
We set it up in the corner and placed plenty of plants to the sides. Mary Anne did a great job painting it. Why would we do something like that? There is a custom in many European churches in which the pastor will give the ‘Easter Greeting.’ Early in the meeting, the pastor approaches the tomb, looks inside, then faces the congregation and says, “He is not here. He is Risen.” Immediately the church replies, “He is Risen Indeed!”
I am no fan of liturgy, but I love the Easter Greeting. Having the large tomb face, added so much to the meeting. Praise God we serve a risen Saviour! My sermon was taken from John 14:19, “Because I Live, Ye Shall Live Also.”
April 23, 2009 at 11:52 pm |
Hey John! Great news about your Easter service…I like the idea of the tomb you built. I’ll have to try that. You know, we were a little disappointed last year at Easter because it seems as if even the Christians didn’t really celebrate the Resurrection much. It was like the Easter service was an ordinary day. But this year was better – more focused on the resurrection. We even showed a film on Friday night which attracted several people. So, what did you mean a few weeks ago when you said that I looked “healthy?” About the tan…that was in Bahia (Northern Brazil). Normally I don’t keep a tan even though I’m in Brazil. But it does make me look thinner HA!