Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ is Risen!
The Lord is Risen, Indeed!

Sunday, April 4 is The Sunday of the Resurrection: EASTER SUNDAY
Here are the appointed readings:
What we're wondering about:

After sundown on Saturday, Lent is over - darkness is about to give way to light!

At the service called The Great Vigil of Easter, we gather (virtually, this year) after darkness has fallen, usually outdoors: different, unfamiliar, and maybe even a little bit scary. Hold on, comfort is coming! A light is kindled!

A real fire is lit, in a bonfire or fire pit - a blessed bowl of blazes brightens the darkness! We light our 2021 Paschal Candle using the flames of this new fire.

We move into the church, carrying the Paschal Candle, stopping 3 times to sing out: The light of Christ. Thanks be to God!

More singing, including these beautiful words:
Rejoice and sing now, all the round earth, bright with a glorious splendor, for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King.

Inside church, some lights are lit. The altar stays dark. It is time to hear "the record of God's saving deeds in history" - get ready for lots of stories! We sing & pray, too.

Next, people might be baptized. Everybody renews their baptismal vows (here they are!). We promise once again to serve God faithfully.

Now - we use the flame from our Paschal Candle to light the candles at the altar. Now is the time to hear and say: Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia. We have unburied the Alleluia, silent during Lent, and now - quiet no more!

The service continues with joy and light! There's a sermon, readings, hymns, and Holy Eucharist. Light is all around us! Light is in us! We are filled and fed with light, bright joy, and hope, all brought forth from God through our Redeemer, Jesus.
Create a lovely cross for this special day, and to remember the risen Christ every day!

Cut a cross shape from recycled foam (from packaging, or a flat grocery tray), craft foam, or corrugated cardboard - then carefully smooth tinfoil over it, taping to secure the back.

Now, use a blunt tool, such as a ballpoint pen or a dull pencil (anything that won't poke through the foil), to gently press in any design you want!
Here's a surprising way to explore the mystery of Christ's resurrection - with marshmallows, spices, and a can of refrigerated crescent rolls!

It's easy & yummy, too, though not exactly a culinary masterpiece!

There are lots of versions to be discovered. Here are 2: here's a video (this one uses butter!) & here's another, same idea, even simpler, using water: Resurrection Rolls.

"Magically" fold & cut out a cross from 8 1/2 x 11" paper - hide a Bible verse or special message inside.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Eggs are symbols of new life!
While you have the yellow paint handy (!), make these handprint hens and thumbprint chicks - what a celebration of Springtime!

Click here for the link - and scroll down for a handprint rabbit, maybe a friend of a special bunny? (Read about that legend and more, here!)
Keep a record of this day - a time capsule of another Easter during a pandemic. Click here to visit a site with a journal page to download, or create your own. Interview family & friends. Ponder the long year now past, offer prayers, and give thanks for the light that overcame darkness.
ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is risen indeed!
Let's rejoice!
I'm sending prayers for your health and well-being, peace, and joy - Linda

PS Click for giddy Easter jokes, riddles, and knock-knocks :-)