HE IS RISEN! ALLELUIA! ~ by Ronnie Archer
The Great Easter Vigil began as usual, with the Service of Light. The congregation processed outside to the back of the church, where the Blessing of the New Fire and the Preparation and Blessing of the Paschal Candle took place. All were given a twig and grains of incense that were "thrown" into the fire, symbolizing the "burning away" of our old nature and the dedication of ourselves as "living sacrifices" to our God.
The procession came back into the darkened church; individual candles were lit from the Paschal Candle, and the Easter Proclamation was sung beautifully, again by Diane Neylan. Candles were extinguished, and the readings were profoundly proclaimed by Vivian Sullivan, Cathy Woodson and Meghan Barbato.
The Gloria was sung with bells ringing; the Epistle and Gospel were proclaimed; the homily given.
This is the night when Christ destroyed death and gave new meaning to humankind. God created humankind last, at the end of creation. His intention was for us to be first in His Kingdom, occupying the highest position. He loved us humans above all else, giving us dominion over everything. Therefore, He created humankind in His image, giving us the gifts to love, to think, to choose; desiring us to be of service to each other.
God loved His human creation so much that He came as His own Son to live among us; to show us the pathway to everlasting life. He allowed His Son to be persecuted, tortured and killed as a Living Sacrifice for our sins; and He elevated Jesus on the third day to confirm that He had indeed really died so that The Father would be glorified, giving humankind a chance for eternal life. No one else has ever given us an example of that, only Jesus Christ.
We have to have the desire to meet Christ, and have the faith to remain strong enough to meet Him. We have to destroy our old natures and put on Christ. If we are too willing to keep our old nature, then we will be destroyed. We can only see the light through Jesus Christ.
Life is worth living because we can have eternal life with Jesus. May God bless us all, so that we can be witnesses for Him.
After the homily, the Litany of the Saints was led by our Cantor, Diane; and our Baptismal vows were renewed. Led by the choir, the congregation sang, "Wade in the Water," accompanied by Scott Stell on the piano, while being sprinkled with Baptismal Water. Following the General Intercessions, the Liturgy of the Eucharist took place. "Jesus Is Here Right Now" was sung during the distribution of Holy Communion; following prayer afterwards, the Mass ended with the recessional hymn, "He is Risen!"...ALLELUIA!
After Mass, the congregation gathered in the church hall for fellowship and a nice dinner, prepared by members of the parish and served by some of the ladies of our parish.
Easter Sunday 2008
~ Public domain image from Clipartpal
~ Art by William Hole
The procession came back into the darkened church; individual candles were lit from the Paschal Candle, and the Easter Proclamation was sung beautifully, again by Diane Neylan. Candles were extinguished, and the readings were profoundly proclaimed by Vivian Sullivan, Cathy Woodson and Meghan Barbato.
The Gloria was sung with bells ringing; the Epistle and Gospel were proclaimed; the homily given.
This is the night when Christ destroyed death and gave new meaning to humankind. God created humankind last, at the end of creation. His intention was for us to be first in His Kingdom, occupying the highest position. He loved us humans above all else, giving us dominion over everything. Therefore, He created humankind in His image, giving us the gifts to love, to think, to choose; desiring us to be of service to each other.
God loved His human creation so much that He came as His own Son to live among us; to show us the pathway to everlasting life. He allowed His Son to be persecuted, tortured and killed as a Living Sacrifice for our sins; and He elevated Jesus on the third day to confirm that He had indeed really died so that The Father would be glorified, giving humankind a chance for eternal life. No one else has ever given us an example of that, only Jesus Christ.
We have to have the desire to meet Christ, and have the faith to remain strong enough to meet Him. We have to destroy our old natures and put on Christ. If we are too willing to keep our old nature, then we will be destroyed. We can only see the light through Jesus Christ.
Life is worth living because we can have eternal life with Jesus. May God bless us all, so that we can be witnesses for Him.
After the homily, the Litany of the Saints was led by our Cantor, Diane; and our Baptismal vows were renewed. Led by the choir, the congregation sang, "Wade in the Water," accompanied by Scott Stell on the piano, while being sprinkled with Baptismal Water. Following the General Intercessions, the Liturgy of the Eucharist took place. "Jesus Is Here Right Now" was sung during the distribution of Holy Communion; following prayer afterwards, the Mass ended with the recessional hymn, "He is Risen!"...ALLELUIA!
After Mass, the congregation gathered in the church hall for fellowship and a nice dinner, prepared by members of the parish and served by some of the ladies of our parish.
Easter Sunday 2008
~ Public domain image from Clipartpal
~ Art by William Hole
Labels: easter and holyweek, sundayreflection
posted by mary ann @ Monday, March 24, 2008
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