Maundy or Holy Thursday, commemorates the evening just before the crucifixion when Jesus and his disciples ate together for the Last Supper. It was there that Jesus instituted the Eucharist or Holy Communion.
Sunrise Service on Easter morning was moved indoors but that did not dampen our spirits! We had a lively service in the sanctuary with a powerful message brought by Rev. Gerald Freeman of Dublin Congregational Methodist Church.
The Offertory music was performed by Kenzie Roan, she sang “Before the Throne of God Above,” Kenzie was accompanied on the piano by her mother, Jana Roan.
After this early worship a breakfast was provided by the “Jacob’s Ladder” Sunday School Class. David Cleveland, Kathy Logan, Stormy Armstrong, Judy Lunsford, and Karen Leigh are to be commended on a great job.
The offering plate collection and funds given at the breakfast will be equally divided among the Christian Women’s Job Corp, Salvation Army, and Goodfellows. All funds will be used in Dublin and that is a wonderful thing.
The lovely flower arrangement done in white sitting on the altar was in memory J.C. Humphries and his son Mark Humphries. They were given by Stormy Armstrong and her mother Pat Humphries who lives in Bryan, Texas.
During the 11 o’clock service the scripture read was John 20: 1-9 and it was from this story that Rev. Ken Lunsford based his sermon titled “While it Was Still Dark.”
John writes in his gospel, “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb.” She was on a desperate journey to finish preparing Jesus’ body for burial. The preparation was cut short on Friday because at sundown the Sabbath began and all work must stop. But Mary found the large stone rolled away and the tomb empty! Mary ran to tell Peter and another disciple about this. Mary believed the body had been taken away. She was “in the dark” about the truth she was seeing. And for a while all the disciples “were in the dark” also. It is a dark world without Easter.
A father who had lost his son in an accident on Good Friday spoke at his son’s funeral on Easter afternoon.
“Until you stare death eye-to-eye, Easter is just a word. It’s a nice day with bunnies and eggs, but when someone precious to you dies, Easter becomes everything. It’s an anchor in a storm, a rock on which to stand, a hope that raises you above despair and keeps you going.” It is a dark world without Easter.
There is amazing power in the hope of Easter, it bursts forward with every blossom of springtime.
You are free to believe or reject the Good News of Easter, but as for me, and I believe for you, we will leave this service with hallelujah ringing in our ears and hearts. Jesus is alive and because He lives we shall live also.
Christ is risen! Hallelujah!