Thursday and Friday...... but Sunday is coming!

 Moving on in Holy Week, Maundy Thursday is another unique experience at my church.  Fellowship of Faith gathers everyone together for a Communion meal in their coffee house space.  Family tables are set and everyone crams into a really small space.  This year there were over 240 people gathered.  The most special part of this event is that it is also the First Communion time for many young people.  This year, it was Anna's turn!  

The kids have to stand up and tell their church, why they want to begin communing.  It is a very big deal to hold a microphone and speak your belief out in front of a big crowd.  This year there were 10 kids standing together! 

I was so proud of Anna!  She was able to speak exactly what she wanted to say, in spite of being really afraid!  

The church asked various people to prepare bread for this event.  Different breads were on each table.  Pastor read the Bible passages from that first night when Jesus instituted Communion, and then the oldest person at each table, serves the bread and wine (juice).  

Since I am usually the oldest one present, I get to serve the communion meal. It is a tremendous honor to have been able to give all four of my grandchildren their first communion, gving Anna her first this year.  

I've been thinking a great deal about Spiritual Heritage and leaving a Spiritual legacy.  Events such as these, cement the importance of celebrating these special times.  Gwen and Tim have done an amazing job sharing their own faith with their children.  

Watching Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna each walk their own faith journey has given me great joy.  My family has been blessed with a long and deep spiritual heritage and this night was a step into the future legacy.  As I was driving home after this night, I was reflecting on my own first Communion and thinking about what my parents and grandparents (and great grandparents) might have experienced.  Even though this spanned over 200 years (yes I actually stopped and figured that out) each of us heard the same words from the Bible.  Some heard them in German or Swedish, but they were the same words.  What a powerful connection to our past and to our future.  

And then Friday.  Good Friday.  As a kid I couldn't understand why we call this day good.  Sitting in a very dark church, listening to the words spoken and remembering my own thoughts the night before, I was imaging my past generations hearing these same words.  Feeling these same feelings.  I had invited an old friend to attend church with me, something I am not very good at doing!  After the service, we were talking about losing our siblings and parents.  This service gives you a time to reflect on each of the times you have lost a loved one.  Again, knowing that Sunday is coming does change your perspective.  But it is easy to resonate with the disciples and their feelings that Jesus was gone.  They really did not understand the plan.  Trying to imagine all of these events of Holy Week, as a participant rather than an observer, brings a new and better understanding.  Just before I sat down to write this blog, I saw a post about crucifixion.  I knew that it was a terrible way to die.  I knew that there were very few places that it was used as punishment.  However, this morning I learned that the word "Excruciating" actually is derived from the Latin word to torture or torment on a cross.  So using that word excruciating for any other painful thing, seems wrong to me.  Again, I don't think I will ever think about Good Friday the same way again. 

Jesus, thank you for your death on the cross.  You knew exactly what the father was asking of you, yet you allowed yourself to be crucified.  Holy Spirit, give us all courage to grow in understanding of this foundational event.  Help us remember that, although death is a part of our lives, Sunday is coming.  Thank you Jesus for loving us and wanting us to know you - in your life, in your death and in your resurrection!  Amen 

What a spectacular week - Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter!

Everyone knew that 2022 was going to be different than the last couple of years.  We finally had some sense that the pandemic might really end.  It also looked like it might be spring on the horizon (or so we thought).  For me the entire week, from Palm Sunday to Easter, was an unexpected, wonderful, amazing time.  Easter ended with about an inch of snow overnight.  So we might have to wait a bit for that springtime.  These sweet faces bring me so much joy.  It was truly a season to remember.  

This picture reminds me of some of the very high points of the week for me.  Beginning on Palm Sunday.  The top left picture might not look like a "typical" Palm Sunday celebration. You can't see any palm branches waving.  But what it IS, is so much more.  My church has always had a "Palm Sunday Pilgrimage".  The entire congregation is encouraged to walk to church on that Sunday.  This helps to appreciate exactly what Jesus and his followers were experiencing on that first Palm Sunday.  Jerusalem was seeing thousands (maybe millions) of people flood in for the upcoming festival.  It was a big party.  And that is exactly what we had that day at church.  After walking in with over 50 children, youth and adults,  the service was a true celebration.  The most meaningful Palm Sunday I have ever had. 

The top right picture is another "unusual" service.  In past years with Lia and Zeke's first Communion, I have blogged about this Maundy Thursday service that is like no other.  This year was Ellie's first Communion.  Every family gathers at their own table, and during the Communion time, the oldest at each table serves everyone.  So, this year, I got to give Ellie her first Communion.  A truly amazing and awe inspiring time.  

The bottom left picture was Good Friday.  Most people would recognize this service as what you would expect.  The story of Jesus' last week was retold and as the story progressed, candles were extinguished until only the Christ Candle was left burning.  As the service concluded, Anna sang "This Little Light of Mine" as she carried that candle out of the church.  We were left sitting in the darkness of the hour.  I have never felt the finality of that darkness more than that night.  But more importantly, as we all know, Friday might be dark, but Sunday is on the way!  The Easter Celebration began with Anna once again singing "This Little Light of Mine" as she brought the Christ Candle back into the Sanctuary.  And a wonderful celebration it was!  He is risen!  He is risen indeed!

The bottom left is, of course, my family.  Being together and being entirely us.  We had a wonderful day doing all of the usual Easter stuff.  

The kids had their traditional egg hunt but this year Lia hid the eggs for the younger kids.  After she was done, only her eggs remained (each of the kids gets a special color egg making it easy for them to find their own eggs).  Tim was busy cooking dinner, so I volunteered to hide the eggs for Lia.  When the egg hunt was done, Lia could not find 4 of her eggs.  And this grandma had no idea where I had hidden them!  I took special notice of the places I thought she would never look, and she easily found those eggs.  But the elusive four eggs were nowhere to be found.  Gwen finally decided that squirrels must have taken them!  Which, given their property, might actually be possible!  Maybe sometime over the next few months, those eggs might show up?  One thing is certain, Grandma will not be hiding eggs again!

On the drive home I was reflecting on the amazing week.  It actually took my breath away.  There were so many "God moments" and breath taking times that it was hard to take it all in.  I experienced this season in new ways that I am still taking time to digest.  It is  good to know that I am not too old to grow and learn.  The entire way home, I found myself singing, "This Little Light of Mine" and thinking about all of the verses of that song...

This little light of mine!  I'm going to let it shine.  All around the neighborhood, I'm going to let it shine. Hide it under a bushel -NO!  I'm going to let it shine. Don't let Satan blow it out! I'm going to let it shine,  Let it shine till Jesus comes! I'm going to let it shine.

That is is good way to begin this new season.  Letting my light shine.  What a great reminder for all of us.  Let us shine more and argue less.  Let us shine more and worry less.  Let us shine more and take sides less.  Let us shine more!

Jesus, thank you for continuing to challenge me and encourage me to grow and learn.  Holy Spirit help us all to live in the joy and wonder of Easter as we move ahead.  Remind us that Sunday is coming when we are stuck in the darkness of Friday.  Give us courage to shine when we are faced with tough situations.  Give us boldness to shine in the strongest opposition.  Jesus thank you for you love!  Amen

Doesn't seem possible that it was 34 years ago.....

I can tell you exactly where I was 34 years ago today, and exactly what I was doing.  It was one of my first days back at my full time job and as a manager, I was meeting with all of my workers to catch up on all the new developments around the office.  I had missed VERY MUCH work over the previous 6 months - spending most of my time away from work in the hospital with Doug.  Just before his third birthday he had a kidney removed (February 15) and then both Gwen and Doug had gotten Chicken Pox.   Ken and I had used up most of our vacation time.  Thankfully, both of our employers had been gracious about the amount of time off we had needed to use.  The 19th was a Thursday that year and I had been off the beginning of the week to travel to Minnesota to see my Dad, who had been very sick for many months.  I remember getting off of the phone with my mom the week before, and she had simply said, "you need to come now to see Dad".  So I took off  MORE time from work.  I am so thankful that I did. I had a chance to see my dad and say good bye.  I got to hug my mom and see my siblings. It was necessary.  Three days later,  on this day, during that meeting, I got a phone call from my mom telling me that my dad had just died.  While it was not unexpected, nothing can really prepare you for that news.  I remember that I just immediately went into the mode of trying to figure out all the logistics to get my family to Minnesota to be with my mom. 

This picture was taken at the funeral home on the evening of the visitation.  Doug was just 3 years old and Gwen was just shy of 6 years old.  I was only 30.  At the time, I did not understand just how much I would miss my dad. My dad had a special relationship with Ken and I know that Ken also felt the loss of my dad.  Sadly, neither Gwen or Doug has many memories of my dad.  Our life was so caught up in Doug's health issues and my dad had so many health issues during those same years.  It was not uncommon for my mom and I to have phone conversations from one hospital in Illinois to another hospital in Minnesota.  So we really didn't see them enough to make memories with the kids.  

I am not sure whether it was Doug's illness or my dad's illness and death that was the trigger.  But I am so thankful that these events stirred in me a desire to draw closer to Jesus.  It was shortly after this  that I began going to a Prayer Group offered at my church.  And then I joined a Sunday morning Bible Study.   Because of those groups, my entire outlook changed and all of the Sunday school lessons and sermons I had heard, suddenly became real to me.  Jesus became real to me.  Within a few years, I found a way to only work during school hours so that I could spend more time with my kids.  I left a career that was cut-throat and actually stressful, and even got fired from the last position I had in the field, BECAUSE I was a Christian! (There is a long story with this that will need to be told in another future blog).  Following that, I became a church secretary.  Something I did for the next 19 years!  So it is safe to say, my dad's death had a profound effect on my life.  

It is fitting that today is Good Friday.  It is a day that is marked with the separation of God the Father from Jesus his Son.  And because of that sacrifice - that time of darkness, we all are no longer kept away from God.  What a great gift we were given at the cross.  We all can come to God because of what Jesus did on the cross for us.  Even when we so far away in our sins, Jesus died for us.  Because of Good Friday, I can celebrate knowing that I will see my dad again one day in heaven.  

It is so easy to tell people to realize the importance of family and making memories together.  But on a day like today, I can't help but urge you again to put aside anything that might be causing conflict in your family.  Life is so short!  Time is so valuable.  Don't miss out on today, because tomorrow is not promised to any one of us.   Make this Easter season a time of reconciliation.  A time of forgiveness and joy.  Hug someone close to you and tell them how important they are to you.  And celebrate that Jesus is alive!

Thank you Jesus for your great sacrifice on the cross for us.  Holy Spirit, come near to those who have doubts that God cares for them.  Bring the message of Easter alive to those who might be hearing it for the first time.  Give us all ears to hear you speaking to us Jesus.  And give us courage and boldness to break down the walls that might be keeping us from family and friends.  Thank you for being with us in times of illness, death and grief.  Amen

There is a Green Hill Far Away.......

Yes, this song has a special place in my heart.  I remember this song from a Good Friday worship service sometime during my Grade School years.  Because my mom worked full time, we rarely went to any "special" services.  But one year (I think it was the same year that my brother had to acolyte for all of the Lenten Services) we attended the Good Friday Service.  I remember singing this song.  My mom told me that this was her favorite Good Friday song....because it was simple but told the whole story.  And that was a great picture of my mom.  She wasn't one to use flowery words and long descriptions.  I remember sitting in the dark church as the candles were extinguished.  It was truly an experience.

And then there was Good Friday of 1964.  I am sure I am not the only person who remembers that day.  There was a 9.2 magnitude earthquake in Alaska at 3:00pm on Good Friday.  I was telling Ken tonight that I was home by myself that day and watching TV.  There was an announcement about the earthquake and I really thought that this might mean that Jesus was coming back....right then.  Okay, I was only in 4th grade and had really just started reading the Bible.  So the fact that this happened on Good Friday (when there was an earthquake when Jesus died)....well my mind just went there.  And it made that day, extremely memorable for me.

So this is a couple of my Good Friday memories.  For many years (like 18 actually) I was a church secretary.  And let me tell you, there is NOTHING like Lent and Holy Week and Easter in a church office.  There were more bulletins to actually complete and print and fold than you could ever imagine.  During those years, I was just sooooo glad to make it to Good Friday.  Yes, I was glad and very, very tired.  I am sure that many who work in the church could affirm the feeling that it is very hard to keep your focus on Jesus.... rather than on the service.   It was always a challenge for me to enter into a place of worship when I stepped into my own church.  (I never attended the church I worked at....which is a very good thing).  Glad those days are behind me. (And give your church secretary an extra hug and thank you the next time you see her).

Today I spent some time just sitting quietly and keeping my focus on Jesus.  And as I did that, this song came into my spirit.  And I found myself singing it and reflecting on that day, so long ago.  It was one of those times when I wished, so much, that I could pick up the phone and call my mom!  But then I remembered exactly where my mom is right now, and all I could do was smile.  Because of Jesus, because of his great sacrifice...and because of Easter...I have assurance and hope of heaven.
So from a reflective, dark day I found myself moving into a place of peace and even joy.  I guess it is hard to stay in Good Friday when you KNOW that Easter is right around the corner!

Jesus, thank you.  I don't think there are words to cover this day.  Just thank you.  Holy Spirit, help us all to stop and focus today so that we don't lose the power and the full meaning of Easter.  Thank you for who you are and all that you have done for us.  Amen

What can you count on??

Today I discovered that "Priority Mail" at the United States Post Office, that is supposed to be delivered in 2 business days, is NOT guaranteed!  I was surprised and not pleased, to say the least.  You see, I had paid $12.00 to mail our Passport Renewals by Priority Mail, on April 11.  They went in two separate envelopes (per the instructions of the Passport Office) and were mailed in a way that could be tracked....hence the Priority Mail!  While we don't really "need" our passports (since we haven't planned anything yet for our vacation in June), we MIGHT find a way to put them to use that week.  Yes, we procrastinated and should have done this long ago. But thinking that one of our passports might be lost in the mail is not great.   On Monday, April 14, ONE of the checks cleared our bank account.   So I waited a couple of days, figuring that the other would clear.  Only to discover on the tracking sight that one of the two envelopes had sat at the Franklin Park sort center from April 11 until April 17.  Then it seemed to make its way to Philadelphia and was "out for delivery" today.   I just don't get it!   When you pay six dollars to mail something, you sort of just expect that you can count on it getting there in 2 or 3 days.   But, alas, it is the United States Post Office.  I should have known better.

 

I am so thankful that I know, on this Good Friday, exactly what I can count on...... Jesus.  I am so thankful for the events remembered on this day, and for the knowledge that Sunday is coming!  You can count on that.  Today I heard Kelley Mooney's spiritual lyrical adaptation of Leonard Cohen's   Hallelujah  (Click on Hallelujah to hear this song).  I just love the words she has put to this familiar song.  I love that I can remember all of the events of this week....starting at Palm Sunday and the wonderful praise and Hosannas.  Followed by the meaningful Passover Seder - Communion meal. And then the darkness and total sacrifice of Jesus for us on Good Friday.  This is followed by Sunday and the Hallelujah of resurrection, you can count on this!  All of this is about what God has done for us.  How much He loves us!  I have been redeemed!  Hallelujah! 

Yes, I am spending today, in quiet thankfulness, with a bit of Hallelujah thrown in for the reminder of what I CAN count on.  And I am thankful that our second passport hit the processing office today, one week behind the other.  Now, we just need to figure out where to go on vacation!

Jesus, thank you so much for your sacrifice on the cross.  Thank you for your great love and your amazing plan for this world and all of us.   Holy Spirit, thank you for reminders all around us of who you are and all that you have done for us.  Thank you for Kelley Mooney and her gift in song.  Bless her as she continues to share your story.  Continue to reveal Jesus to the world during these special days!  Amen