As we sat around tables seating four on Maundy Thursday (April 17), we remembered the Upper Room where Jesus had his final supper with his gathered friends. We shared communion and were asked to answer some questions around the table. One of the questions was “How do we betray Jesus by our thoughts, words and actions?” How do we answer this question?
Many gathered again for the Good Friday (April 18) service where we heard the scriptures of this day from the Gospel according to Mark 15 read in six segments. After each scripture was read there was either 5 minutes of reflection or a hymn was sung while seated. Before the next scripture was read, we heard hammer strikes. As the stone was rolled across the tomb and after the commissioning, we left the church in silence.
On Easter Sunday, April 20th, twenty-four worshippers joined Julia who entitled her message “Out of the Tomb (All Hell Breaks Loose)” and spoke from the scripture Luke 24:1-12. Julia said among other ideas that we spend most of our lives in tombs as after loss and disappointments, it is hard to see the light of resurrection. There is a revelation of joy as we come out of the tomb of despair for despair cannot overcome joy. We shared communion and were asked this question to ponder: “What is the tomb you are encased in? We each chose a butterfly stick which when put in the light glows.
On Holy Humor Sunday, April 27th, twenty-four people joined with Traci Fontana-Wegelin who entitled her message “A Laughing Matter” and spoke from the scripture Psalm 150. We praise God through sound as everything that has breath praises God. Joy and laughter are vital in our lives as laughter is amazing. Traci told us the story of Holy Week and Easter in the way of Dr. Seuss.
On May 3rd, twenty-four people joined Karen Pryznyk who entitled her message “The Value of Imperfection.” We heard the scripture Acts 9:1-5, which speaks of Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus; John 21:15-18, where, after the resurrection, Jesus asks Peter if Peter loves him; and Revelation 5:11-12, where Jesus is referred to as the Worthy Lamb proclaimed by the heavenly voices. Just as Saul (Paul) and Peter were not perfect, neither are any of us. However, God works with our imperfections.
Our growth comes when we are open to our imperfections. As we saw in the picture of the mended cracked cup Karen gave us, we become whole once again when we value our imperfections through which God works to show us their beauty.
Written by Marie Wedderburn.