I went to sunrise service on Easter this year. It was different.
Growing up in the Lutheran church, I was used to getting my Hallelujahs back after a lo-o-ong Lenten season. Lent was dreary without those uplifting songs and I couldn't wait for Easter.
This year (and the last two, I think), Pastor has been using the Resurrection series by City on a Hill Productions. They look at the crucifixion from various viewpoints like the centurion. This year we saw it from Mary the mother of Jesus' viewpoint. What was lacking was the joy she would have had when Jesus showed up afterwards. How can you tell Jesus' story without the Resurrection? How can you leave out the joy? How can you call it the Resurrection series without the resurrection?
I was more unhappy after the service than I was when I went into church. I went for a long walk to think about why I was so empty on Easter. It dawned on me that I had never gotten my hallelujahs back after the Lenten season.
I think next year, I might join the Lutherans for sunrise service. I've often said that no one parties like a Jew(weddings and bar mitzahs are huge blow-out affairs) and that's why we're going to have so much fun in heaven. But no one greets Easter with more gusto than a Lutheran. Next year, I think I'll join them.
Hallelujah! He is risen!
Ron DiCianni's painting says it all. Here is the victory!
Thanks for visiting with me.
Kathi
Growing up in the Lutheran church, I was used to getting my Hallelujahs back after a lo-o-ong Lenten season. Lent was dreary without those uplifting songs and I couldn't wait for Easter.
This year (and the last two, I think), Pastor has been using the Resurrection series by City on a Hill Productions. They look at the crucifixion from various viewpoints like the centurion. This year we saw it from Mary the mother of Jesus' viewpoint. What was lacking was the joy she would have had when Jesus showed up afterwards. How can you tell Jesus' story without the Resurrection? How can you leave out the joy? How can you call it the Resurrection series without the resurrection?
I was more unhappy after the service than I was when I went into church. I went for a long walk to think about why I was so empty on Easter. It dawned on me that I had never gotten my hallelujahs back after the Lenten season.
I think next year, I might join the Lutherans for sunrise service. I've often said that no one parties like a Jew(weddings and bar mitzahs are huge blow-out affairs) and that's why we're going to have so much fun in heaven. But no one greets Easter with more gusto than a Lutheran. Next year, I think I'll join them.
Hallelujah! He is risen!
Thanks for visiting with me.
Kathi
We Catholics love getting our Hallelujah back, too, although we say Alleluia! During Lent, Catholics pray the 13 stations of the cross, and one of my favorite station meditations is through Mary's viewpoint -- how did she feel as she walked with Jesus and watched as he was tortured? Great post, Kathi.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Georgiann. I've never visited with Catholics so I wasn't sure how their season played out. I appreciate the insights.
ReplyDelete