Weekend in Review

Is anyone else having trouble loading multiple pictures into their blog -- in order?? It is so frustrating to want to create a post in chronological order and then for the photos to be all wonky . . .and you have to write and delete a photo and reload a photo. Enough whining!! Stop!!

Last week, Mark was out of town one night so while he was gone, I researched and made something similar to the nests that his mother used to make. I'll be honest -- they weren't well received. They were different . . .but I truly thought someone would say something like, "thank you for trying to have something that would remind us of our mom." Nope! Didn't happen. Did I cry on Sunday afternoon? I did. I'm sort of ashamed to admit it, but sometimes you just need to cry over chocolate nests. I don't eat sweets but I did eat one of the small ones to see how it tasted. I actually think they were good.

Moving on . . . .

On Thursday night, I worked the welcome desk and then I went to our Maundy Thursday service.

David is our Executive Pastor and he was throwing a vessel
on a pottery wheel as he talked about how we are
"shaped by the table" (God's table)

This is Anna Leigh - she is our graphic designer
but also sings beautifully - it was a great service.

Friday morning, Mark and I drove an hour north to retrieve this chair - it was my mother's!! When I was a child, I loved to rub those "goose necks." We then took it to the people who have done a lot of re-upholstering for us. I ordered cream velvet for the new fabric.

After we dropped off the chair, we went to a little store in the small town. I loved their main drag. So cute!!

Friday was Good Friday and our Good Friday service is one of the most powerful worship services every year. This is not to downplay any other church - I'm sure there are other services and other traditions, but the darkness of the Good Friday service prepares my heart for the glory of Easter morning!

The cross is shrouded in black cloth. Each
pastor brings in a lighted candle that is
placed on one of the candlesticks at the
foot of the cross.

The orchestra and choir sing and play THE most
incredible music you could ever imagine.
Actually, you can check out the audio here. The service
is too dark for video recording.

As the evening progresses, the candles are snuffed
out. As each candle is snuffed out, we sing Jesus
Remember me and we hear the sound of nails
being hammered - each time. At the end, the
only light in the sanctuary is the Christ candle held by
Brian, our senior pastor (and my boss) while he preaches.
At the end of the service, the pulpit Bible is slammed
shut. That sound reverberates through the sanctuary.
Then Brian, carrying the candle, and another pastor
carrying the Bible walk slowly down the aisle
and leave the sanctuary. The words "why have
you forsaken me" are on our hearts as we
"feel" the death of Jesus. Then we leave in silence.
All 800 people leave in silence.  Oh my goondess.

We offer multiple Easter services and our first one is on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. I get to attend that and it is so wonderful to be in worship! The light is brought back into the sanctuary because Christ is alive. The music swells into Christ the Lord Is Risen Today . . .powerful.

This was Easter dress #1

Look at the altar flowers - arranged by church members to the glory of God! I didn't get a single picture of us. Our friends, Lu and Dave, came to church with us that night. I'm so glad.

After church, the four of us plus Susie and Bob (Mark's sister and our brother-in-law) went to the Front Porch, a local restaurant, to eat a late dinner. I didn't take any photos of my meal, but I did take a photo of my Moscow Mule!

On Easter Sunday morning, I had to be at work at the crack of dawn while Mark and his sister, Susie, and her husband, Bob attended our neighborhood sunrise service. 

I worked all morning greeting folks in the Welcome Center. Later, we hosted family lunch at our house. This was our first Easter lunch without Mark's mom, brother, and our sister-in-law. We had a delicious meal, but I must admit that I was very sad . . .and very tired. Everyone contributed to the meal and it was delicious.

I made a special fruit tray for our oldest granddaughter.

Our neighborhood magazine arrived and our granddaughter and I were in the magazine!

I bought new flowers and reworked last week's centerpieces.

This is the resurrection cross on the front lawn of our church. 

My co-worker, Marie and I did grab a photo on Easter Sunday while we were working the welcome desk. I purchased this little dress in a shop on that cute little main street we visited on Friday.

Easter dress #2

Our kids all went to their own churches.

Here is our youngest granddaughter -- she is 13 months old.

Here is her big sister wearing one of Laura's dresses that I smocked and grandmother (Mark's mother) sewed.

Here is our son and daughter-in-law and oldest granddaughter at their church.

Our daughter and her husband and the two younger grands at their church.

Our church office is closed this week. We had different services for 8 days straight! We all showed up in shorts and t-shirts today to help clean up. Then we walked down the street and ate lunch together!

How was your weekend?