Peoples Celebration 2015

He Is Risen

The most significant week in the Christian calendar has taken place in the days leading up to Easter. Maundy Thursday which commemorates the Last Supper was held on Thursday Evening with the washing of hands, song, message, scripture and the darkening of the altar. Following this on Good Friday evening a Tennebrae service was held.

On Sunday morning brave souls were called to Fisherman’s Point at Willard Beach and braved the cold temperatures to celebrate with others Resurrection Day. Arriving before the sun rose into the heavens above Cushing Island, Pastor Tom led the group in a service that greeted the sun as a symbol of our risen Lord. “Christ Is Risen!” was the cry that all present said in following a Litany spoken by the pastor. There were two songs that were sung by the group; Morning Has Broken and Jesus Loves Me. The scripture for the morning was from John 20: 1-18 and the message was titled, “It’s Early”.

It was a good feeling to be with folks that we are often with in other locations and it was also meaningful to be able to speak and converse with others that perhaps we have not seen and been with in a long time.

The sun broke over the island around 6:17 AM and by 6:20 lit the sky ablaze with a glistening strand of light cast upon the waters of Portland Harbor.

Within half an hour and walking across Willard Beach to the parking lot we could look back and see the sun rising through the trees and silhouetting the restored fishing shacks and the few tall trees that can be seen at Fisherman’s Point.

Those present then proceeded to their automobiles and most headed for church where a sumptuous breakfast was prepared by Chef Brad and Chris Ward with the help of Sam, Danielle, Sally and Kathy. All who attended were well fed and many conversations were carried out and observed with folks that perhaps we had net seen for quite awhile.

 

At 9:45 AM the bell in the church steeple tolled inviting folks to come to church for the Easter morning worship service. Many families were present and many folks who often may only be in church on two celebration days of the year were in attendance.  Sometimes the communion railing has been festooned with many flowers in the past, but the numbers of memorial flowers was considerably fewer than in the past, yet there were enough to memorialize those members of families that were considered saints in our lives.

He Lives, Because He Lives, and Amazing Grace were the meaningful congregational hymns of the day and the choir sang a beautiful piece that added to the spiritual meaning of this day. The scripture reading was taken from Luke 24: 13-25 and Pastor Tom concluded the use of the verses of Amazing Grace in his Lenten series, titling his message, Good News of Grace.

Children in the Lego Club led by Andy Folley had their display symbolizing the Easter Story on display in the entryway as people would enter or leave the church.

After the children’s message they were excused to do an Easter Egg hunt led by Rosemary, Carol and others. Once that activity was completed the children returned to be with parents in the sanctuary where all of those in attendance participated in Holy Communion. It was truly meaningful to see whole families having communion together.

We do hope that everyone left this week’s service with new light shining on them from above and that they are able to take that light to share with others that they come in contact with in their daily lives. May the Lord be with you and all those that we meet in our daily lives.