Happy Easter

Picture from a former "Easter Bonnet" Easter. Coats were hand-made by my mom.

The best story from today:

The senior pastor told about the Sunday School teacher who was telling the story of Jesus to her class, about his crucifixion, and death, how they sealed him in the tomb, and three days later he rose up. To create some excitement, she asked her students: "What do you think was the first thing Jesus said when he rose from the grave?" One little girl practically jumped out of her chair, raising her hand. "I know, I know", she cried. "What was it?" the teacher asked. The girl replied, "TA-DA!"

Highlights of the weekend:

Chanting the preface at all three services this morning. My stepson said that when I chanted, "with Mary Magdalen and Peter, with all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, with angels and archangels...." I should have included the dogs.

There were several small but important things that our intern usually did during Holy Week: Acolyte during Good Friday Tenebrae, Reader and Candle Bearer during Easter Vigil, Book Bearer for Festival Services. However, a few of our high school students got the opportunity to do some of these things this year.

I saw a tenth-grade boy all dressed up before the Tenebrae Service, and an older woman asked him, "Are you interested in the ministry?" To my surprise, he answered, "Yes."

I heard the mother of the tenth grade girl who assisted at our Easter Vigil, tell her, "You got to light the Holy Candle!" And I heard her older brother tell her what a good job she did, as she read from Isaiah 55.

I saw a 13 year old confirmation student dressed up as an acolyte for the first time, part of the processional. I've known her since she was three.

This more than makes up for the snow, and the absence of Easter bonnets this year.

Christ is risen indeed!