Passover week was and is a tumultuous week in the life of the Church with many spiritual and emotional highs and lows. For me, this year, it began at College First Church in Findlay with the remembrance of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem nearly two millenniums ago. The festive occasion brings to mind the fickleness of the crowd, but also the character of the king we serve as Bill Riest so eloquently pointed out to the congregation. Jesus comes meekly riding upon a donkey. He is full of humility and self-sacrificing love with a commitment to do God’s will in redeeming mankind despite his personal cost. Since childhood I remember receiving a palm spear as part of this Sunday’s service. In recent years I have folded mine into a cross. I keep them in my office in front of an ancient Bible page depicting the Fall of Adam and Eve and in a wooden vase turned by Joe Lewis, one of my pastoral mentors. All these symbols remind me of my commitment to Christ and my cloud of witnesses, as well as the danger of my own fickleness in faith. I can be a poor disciple of the Nazarene at times, but these and other tangible emblems of the faith help keep me on track. |
Thursday evening we worshipped with the Doubling Gap Church (DGC) in Pennsylvania. I was blessed to lead the men in singing during feetwashing and Linda led the women. Pastor Don Snyder (pictured at left) shared a message on the theme “Are You Clean” based on the John 13:1-17 and challenged all to search their hearts and examine their actions. It is Jesus who cleanses, and without his washing there can be no forgiveness or right standing before God. Friday evening our Philadelphia girls joined us at the farm and Saturday our granddaughter along with her parents arrived from NYC. For us Easter has always been a family holiday to celebrate our faith and time together. Since Penny turns two next month she’s of an age to enjoy traditions like Easter chocolate, cuisine and colored eggs. I think she had as much fun dyeing the eggs as finding them later. Of course, we adults enjoyed the three “Cs” as well. I especially like the eggs pickled, but that process takes a week for them to be ready to eat. |
Sunday morning we arose early to attend DGC’s SONrise Celebration at 6:30. The service began and ended with the traditional Resurrection Day songs, “He Lives” and “Christ the Lord is Risen Today!” Pastor Don and Ian Reed did a dramatic presentation as Simon of Cyrene and his son. Basically they retold the story of Jesus’ execution and the good news of his resurrection. After the service in the church parking lot, everyone went to the fellowship hall for breakfast. Our daughter Emily organized the food and with a lot of help served up a hearty spread of sausage, chicken & waffles, fresh fruit, egg casserole, sticky buns, donuts, and of course juice, coffee, hot chocolate, etc. |
After breakfast we went home to change and returned to DGC for the 10 o’clock worship service. The house was packed because it was Easter, but also because nine young children were dedicated by their families to be raised in the Lord’s House. Don invited the grandparents and other supporters to join the parents and children up front (pictured below). It was an impressive sight to see so many make commitments to rear their children in the way of the Lord. In his morning message Don challenged the congregation to “get serious” about Jesus and be a living witness to the Risen Lord’s transformative power. Indeed, so may it be for all who know that Jesus lives and gives abundant life. |
Ed
Soli Deo Gloria!