Monday is Palm Sunday, and for some of the churches in American, (like ours) there will be no in person Palm processions. Many worshiping communities have had to live-stream or use Facebook, or some other method to connect with their members. This crisis has altered so many activities that we once took for granted.
Normally many liturgical churches would be having a number of extra in person worship services next week leading up to Easter. For some Christians, Easter is the most holy day of the church year. For some, sadly those in person Easter services, will not be held. Since I am married to a retired Lutheran (ELCA) pastor, I know how busy this week could usually be. However, I grew up in an American Baptist Church in Youngstown, Ohio, and for us Holy Week, didn’t have a lot of extra services. But Easter morning was a huge day for us.
Jerusalem Baptist Church was made of persons of Color, who had mainly come from the Southern States to find work up North. They were mostly blue-collar working people, who loved getting dressed up for Sunday worship. However, on Easter morning, they took getting dressed up to another level. Most everyone, got something new and lovely for the worship service. The hats, dresses, and suits were so colorful, and often people tried to outdo each other.
Looking back many years later, I wonder, if the resurrection of Jesus on Easter, took a back seat to the clothes worn on that day. I am sure we weren’t the only church to do this. With that being said, no matter what your faith traditions were years ago or are today; not being able to worship as a community in person during this time, will be hard for all of us. I know for Shirley and I; we dearly miss being able to worship together as a community.
I would encourage all of you, to try and realize that the resurrection of Jesus and the new birth that event brings into our lives---happens daily, when we are open to it. The love that our Lord God has for all us as shown in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is still there, regardless if we can worship in person on Palm Sunday, during Holy Week, or on Easter.
Acknowledging that this is a very stressful time for the entire world, still with many unknowns, with lots of pain for those impacted by the virus, with tons of additional effort by governments and medical personnel to contain the virus and to get everyone vaccinated; hopefully you are able to pause, and reflect at some point during this time, about the wonderful gift given to humanity by our loving Lord. Even if you are unable to personally attend services, try to look for areas of love and hope around you so that Easter can come to you, in more moments/days then just April 4, 2021. May God’s love and grace, bless you and your families/loved ones at this time. Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2021 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
Normally many liturgical churches would be having a number of extra in person worship services next week leading up to Easter. For some Christians, Easter is the most holy day of the church year. For some, sadly those in person Easter services, will not be held. Since I am married to a retired Lutheran (ELCA) pastor, I know how busy this week could usually be. However, I grew up in an American Baptist Church in Youngstown, Ohio, and for us Holy Week, didn’t have a lot of extra services. But Easter morning was a huge day for us.
Jerusalem Baptist Church was made of persons of Color, who had mainly come from the Southern States to find work up North. They were mostly blue-collar working people, who loved getting dressed up for Sunday worship. However, on Easter morning, they took getting dressed up to another level. Most everyone, got something new and lovely for the worship service. The hats, dresses, and suits were so colorful, and often people tried to outdo each other.
Looking back many years later, I wonder, if the resurrection of Jesus on Easter, took a back seat to the clothes worn on that day. I am sure we weren’t the only church to do this. With that being said, no matter what your faith traditions were years ago or are today; not being able to worship as a community in person during this time, will be hard for all of us. I know for Shirley and I; we dearly miss being able to worship together as a community.
I would encourage all of you, to try and realize that the resurrection of Jesus and the new birth that event brings into our lives---happens daily, when we are open to it. The love that our Lord God has for all us as shown in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is still there, regardless if we can worship in person on Palm Sunday, during Holy Week, or on Easter.
Acknowledging that this is a very stressful time for the entire world, still with many unknowns, with lots of pain for those impacted by the virus, with tons of additional effort by governments and medical personnel to contain the virus and to get everyone vaccinated; hopefully you are able to pause, and reflect at some point during this time, about the wonderful gift given to humanity by our loving Lord. Even if you are unable to personally attend services, try to look for areas of love and hope around you so that Easter can come to you, in more moments/days then just April 4, 2021. May God’s love and grace, bless you and your families/loved ones at this time. Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2021 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
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