4/3/18 SOL - Easter Sunrise Service
This year we decided to attend our church's Easter Sunrise Service. But, let's back up to Maundy Thursday - a celebration of the Last Supper. The altar is stripped of all the paraments and candles - it is bare for the Good Friday service. Everything is draped in black. There is a wooden cross with seven candles lit and a crown of thorns. The Good Friday service is called a Tenebrae service remembering the last words that Christ spoke on the cross. After each of the words are read and a short homily, a candle is extinguished. Until the 7th candle - it remains lit, but is removed from the Sanctuary. The hymn "Were You There" is sung, the Sanctuary is dark. But the lit candle is brought back in to remind us that Christ will come again.
Then comes Easter - a day of rebirth, a day of renewal, a day of hope, a day of peace, a day to celebrate.
When we entered the Sanctuary, it was dark, but as the Cross is carried in, the organ comes alive with music, the processional begins and the church becomes bright. The black is gone, the altar is adorned with lilies.
The one thing that I noticed throughout the service was our stained glass window behind the altar. Before the morning broke and with the lights on inside, you could only see the lead surrounding the stained glass. As the service progressed and the light started to come in from outside, Jesus appeared and by the end of the service the stained glass window was blazing in it's beauty.
Then comes Easter - a day of rebirth, a day of renewal, a day of hope, a day of peace, a day to celebrate.
When we entered the Sanctuary, it was dark, but as the Cross is carried in, the organ comes alive with music, the processional begins and the church becomes bright. The black is gone, the altar is adorned with lilies.
The one thing that I noticed throughout the service was our stained glass window behind the altar. Before the morning broke and with the lights on inside, you could only see the lead surrounding the stained glass. As the service progressed and the light started to come in from outside, Jesus appeared and by the end of the service the stained glass window was blazing in it's beauty.
One other tradition that our church has is a live flower cross. Everyone is asked to bring flowers to adorn the cross that on Good Friday was bare. After the services, the flower cross is placed out in front of the church for everyone to see.
The service was beautiful and this Easter, as with past ones, is truly a one of renewal. He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Yes, I think it is essential that we are reminded about the Last Supper and Good Friday. Most skip over these days ... head right into Easter, but it was His last days on this Earth that remind of us what He endured -- for us. Even hearing the story of His death, I'll never comprehend what He went through and what it means to me. But celebrate that He is risen! Love how the light continued to grow through the service and shone through the stained glass. Beautiful! Love you, Mom!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday services. I like learning about different churches celebrate. The flower cross is something and gives each family a personal connection to Easter. Thank you for sharing. As we would say, "Christos Voskrese! Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!"
ReplyDeleteThose services bring home the reality of what happened so long ago. What perfect timing for the light to fill the stained glass. Beautiful flower cross.
ReplyDeleteEaster services have always been my favorite and I loved reading about yours.
ReplyDeleteSuch meaningful services and traditions. Thank you for sharing these. The stained glass coming alive with the light must be amazing.
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