Historically, our church has hosted Holy Week noon day services on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week. Over the years, we've had some interesting speakers at noon followed by a quick lunch prepared by our church chef. I've been on staff at Trinity for over 20 years and a member for more than 40 years, so I've attended lots of noon day services.
Due to my job, I am always one of the greeters for these services. Our staff photographer caught this photo of me hugging a good friend. Just FYI - I'm not a "hugger" with just everyone, but this is one of my close friends.
This year was extra special. Rev. Dr. Jonathan Dean from the London District of the Methodist Church was our preacher for Palm Sunday through Wednesday. Oh my goodness. He is an amazing preacher and an even more amazing person. He is a good long-time friend of our Senior Pastor. Since I work for the Senior Pastor, I was able to have several conversations with Jonathan. I was excited to find out that we will get to see him again when we are in London in the fall!!
I worked the Welcome Desk on Thursday night for the Maundy Thursday service but didn't attend. Mark was still recovering from the surgery and his hand was swelling and I needed to get home and help him find an ice pack, etc.
Our Good Friday (night) service is one of the most powerful services. If you ever find yourself in Birmingham, Alabama on Good Friday, please come and join us.
The service is somber and gorgeous and gives me all the feels. Even the cross is shrouded in black.
Our sanctuary choir and chamber ensemble sing and scripture is read. One of the traditions is that our youth choir sings "Draw Me Nearer" while standing around the base of the cross. At the end of each "word" and song, one of the acolytes snuffs (is that a word?) out a candle, and the lights are lowered until . . .
The sanctuary is in almost total darkness (for safety, exit signs are still functioning). Our Senior Pastor holds the only candle that hasn't been extinguished and preaches from the center of the chancel area. At the end of the sermon, a big Bible is slammed shut and the timpani beats 33 times and that last candle is carried out of the church . . . and the light of Christ is gone. Even though I know that Sunday is coming, my heart breaks anew each year. The darkness of Good Friday makes the resurrection on Easter Sunday so much more powerful to me. Our sanctuary was packed with well over 800 people.
Mark and I invited our neighbors to go with us to the first Easter service, which is actually at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday night. I didn't take a single photo!! I just went to worship and it was glorious. We grabbed a bite of dinner after church.
On Sunday morning, I was at work by 6:45 a.m. ready to greet the masses. I took a selfie while all was quiet.
Marie's son took the photo below of the two of us.
On Easter, Brian (Senior Pastor) brings the light of Christ back into the sanctuary. I can't wait to see our attendance numbers for Easter. Even with a rainy Sunday morning, people came to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus!
Our flower committee (not a professional florist among them) makes the altar arrangements every week and they outdid themselves this year. Can you see the cross to the right of the altar? That is the cross that was shrouded in black on Good Friday. That cross even has flowers. This is Children's Moment at one of our services. Pastor Laura did an amazing job.
Our oldest granddaughter loves Highland Cows, so when Gran saw a stuffie . . .I bought it.
After church, we had all of the in-town immediate family over for lunch. We served Honey-Baked ham, rolls, Asian slaw, potato salad, Copper Pennies, fresh fruit, deviled eggs, congealed salad, and Boston Cream Pie with strawberries. Everyone brought something which made it easier.
I even folded our napkins like bunny ears!
Mark is at the end of the line and his twin brother, George, is in front of him. Bob, brother-in-law, is in the gold vest. Wynn, our "extra" son is in front of him. Our nephew Thomas and our son, Glenn are next. Our daughter-in-law, Lauren, and Mark's sister Susie are in front of the stove. Our oldest grand is to the right of the counter standing with our sister-in-law (George's wife) is on the far right.
The photo below is my favorite photo of the day. The younger generation was all on the screen porch enjoying the pleasant weather (we had rain in the morning, but the afternoon was lovely).
Laura sent a photo of her girls before they left for their church. I bought the Lilly dresses at our church consignment sale. I never would have paid full price for them, but snatched them up at the sale. Mark and I facetimed with them on Sunday evening. Their Easter baskets were filled with sand and water toys. We are planning a family beach trip in June.
Our daughter-in-law, Lauren, shared this one on social media. The three of them attended their church on Sunday morning before heading to our house for lunch.
How was your Easter weekend? Did you eat with friends or family or did you savor some time alone? Does your church have special services throughout Holy Week?
Looks like a wonderful week filled with special services. The Thursday service sounds really meaningful especially. So glad you had a full house for Easter lunch. That's the best! Have a nice week!
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