CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

What a day this has been!

So good to get "Alleluia" back in life.

But, the week began before today.  Wednesday (and Thursday) was our "Journey with Jesus" day - the interactive event for kids to experience the events of Holy Week through sight, taste, touch, etc.  Had about 300 kids from the school go through it during the daytime; had about 75 go through it on Wednesday night.  But a couple of stories ... one little girl went through the 'walk' and brought her brother and mom back over the lunch hour.  She 'led the tour' for her mom, and when they got to the garden  - an area in which we brought in 100 sq. ft of sod - and talked about Jesus praying in the garden - she had her mom and brother kneel down and she led her mom and brother in prayer: she said the Lord's prayer.  Mom was crying, Jeff, our Family Life Minister was close to shedding a tear - twas a moving experience.  But the girl wasn't finished  - she brought mom and brother and dad and older sister at the evening presentation; but the next morning she brought her grandma!  What a great evangelist!  Then there was Gordy, a kindergardener - he went home and set up all the stations in their living room, and brought back mom and dad for the evening piece.  It was amazing!

Then Thursday night at Maundy Thursday service had 1st Communion milestone ministry for two fifth graders.  What a special day it is for these kids and their families. But it's such a joy to have them all involved in sharing the blessing.  Special music from the choir sets off the service as well; 

Good Friday then comes; this year followed our theme for Lent/Holy Week for the major part of the service and ended with a 'mini' tenebrae as we extinguish a '7 candled cross' as the seven last words are read; the the choir does Mozart's "Adoremus Te Christe" a capella from the balcony; we whisper the Lord's Prayer and leave the building in silence.

Spent about 10 hours at church on Saturday getting ready for Sunday - I never seem to get my work done too much in advance.  Didn't use powerpoint for sunrise service, but did for the other two services; and had to do them both on Saturday.  when I got home, Karina had been gardening all day - was a gorgeous day!  I spent an hour outdoors with her, weeding.  Went out for dinner at the Reedville Cafe.  Then came home and soaked in the hot tub - but didn't sleep well - just too many things happening on Easter.

Up at 4:45 and "rarin' to go" - hah - but going nonetheless.  First service (7:00) was a full house - plus choir and handbells and trumpet and violin and fun organ!  My restlessness was well-founded - managed to leave out the choir anthem - had to back track to keep them happy ;) - but they forgave me!  

then had a huge crowd at the breakfast; kids painted birdhouses to take home with them as a memento of Easter at PoP.  Had breakfast casseroles and fruit as the main course.

then the "kids" service was really low in attendance this year - Last year it was the most attended - never know what to plan for.  I have the kids come forward and sit in the chancel for the message;  had a fun pwrpnt of the easter story in Lego's then a short easter message;  give the kids a gift and have a closing;  really a high energy service - and great fun - the praise team leads the music, though Jeff and I did "dueling guitars" in leading a couple of songs for the kids.

Then the 'festival' service!  Wow!  music is glorious - lots of visitors - neat way to celebrate new life.  even had a couple who own my favorite Mexican restaurant.  have a follow-up now!  will try to get the sermon posted on Tuesday.  

weather?  rain!  pretty Portland, I guess!  good thing we don't do egg hunts etc.

came home and napped! for hours!  think I finally got caught up for sleep, though.

Karina had planned a great dinner for us - ham for me, salmon for her; grilled asparagus and baked potatoes (with cottage cheese, of course).  a glass of wine made the meal complete.

we watched "How the West Was Won" today - it was part of a 'six-gun salute' to Jimmy Stewart.  Unfortunately missed Shenandoah - that one makes me cry every time I see the church door open and 'boy' return.  I'm such a softy.

looking forward to the break this weekend and coming east!  will be a greatly needed journey, and so excited to see the Iowans.  please pack away all your tornadoes, etc. - I've been away from them long enough that I really don't need to see them anymore.

hope all of you celebrated blessed Easter days!  

Alleluia!

love ya.

K & D