April 8, 2020
Dear People of God,
Carol Brennan emailed me an Easter poem. With a nod to Dr. Seuss and clearly revised from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” this poem is entitled “How the Virus Stole Easter.” The last few stanzas read as follows:
The churches are empty - but so is the tomb,
And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom.
So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer,
As the virus still rages all around, everywhere.
May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people.
May the world see the church is not a building or steeple.
May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection,
May the world find Joy in a time of dejection.
May 2020 be known as the year of survival,
But not only that -
Let it start a revival.
If you want the poem in its entirety, let me know. If, however, you want to join an informal “revival” on Easter morning, here’s how to do it.
While we can’t make Facebook Live work quite yet, we are having great success with the online meeting platform, Zoom. (We’ve been having meetings, studies, check-ins, support groups, youth group and the young people’s message all via Zoom.) It seems, then, that this is the best way to see each other’s faces and shout, “Christ is risen” on Easter morning.
We’ll gather via Zoom at 9:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday. Because this is the usual Kids Zoom time, our Easter celebration will be brief (about 30 minutes), informal, and family-friendly: we’ll sing a few Easter hymns, hear a young people’s message, have a time of prayer, and shout “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” Click
here
and you’ll connect with Pastor Brad, Hillary, Chuck and Andy Trundle and myself on Easter morning. All are welcome and encouraged to Zoom in; I’d love to see ALL your faces!
While our Easter celebration will be an opportunity to see each other’s faces and celebrate the good news of Easter together, all of holy week worship (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter) is being pre-recorded and posted on the website as it has been since “social distancing” took effect. In preparation for Good Friday, access Hillary’s tutorial on the chosen hymn
link here
. In preparation for Maundy Thursday and Easter, feel free to find some Wonder Bread (do they still make that stuff?) or use the church’s communion bread recipe
link here
. Then gather your family, sit down together, and live the poem partially printed above.
Let’s start a revival! Lutheran-style, of course.
Blessed holy week,
Pastor Caroline
