This Sunday is Palm Sunday, and then we enter Holy Week. It’s going to be so very different this year thanks to Coronavirus-19, and I can only imagine that pastors everywhere are scrambling, trying to come up with the best way to make it all meaningful.
My thoughts:
DO NOT GO INTO A CHURCH BUILDING. I have seen on the news that the governor of Florida is allowing people to come together for worship. Don’t do it. You may think you will be fine but you may pass along CV-19 without knowing it. God understands. Worship him from home.
Will our pastor do a Palm Sunday parade of one? Ha! Our church, like many others, starts Palm Sunday worship with a parade outside, with the waving of palms. It’s a re-enactment of the jubilance of those seeing Jesus coming into the city on the donkey. Alleluia!! The praise quickly turns tho. Stay tuned.
I have seen on Facebook that since we can not wave palms together, we should instead put a palm, or a leafy sprig, or small branch, on our front door. I like that idea. For people who live in a neighborhood, or apartment or condo building, it will be a good visual. I live out in a rural area and nobody can see my front door unless they pull into my driveway. But, maybe I will do it anyway.
Maundy Thursday focuses on the Last Supper, the first communion. Jesus and his disciples sharing that meal together in the Upper room. Jesus shares ‘himself’ through bread and wine. Picture Leonardo Di Vinci’s famous painting. That’s the night. So, okay. I can do that at home. I will watch our service on line and prepare my own communion. I think it will work.
Good Friday – It was the middle of the afternoon when Jesus died on the cross. My church has a Tennebrae service in the evening, with the stripping of the altar. Lights going down to darkness – but ONE candle lit, still shining bright in the darkness. It’s a very meaningful service. How impactful for this year as we feel we are in dark times, and how we feel we are stripped down to basics.
By the way, This seems like a good year to watch “Jesus Christ Superstar” on TV. I love the music of it.
Then – Easter! Will you do anything special at home? I’d love to hear ideas on how you plan to make the day special. I know there will be some awesome music available online all day. All kinds of Easter services to watch too. We have a local florist who is selling Easter lilies for charity…with drive-by pick up service. We normally order one through our church and that’s not happening. So, it’s a great idea to get the lilies out and into homes – and help a local charity.
So much will be missing this year: the beautiful palms and flowers, the trumpets, the reading of the Passion story…. the egg dying and Egg hunts, Little ones dressed in adorable Easter outfits. Families together. Full churches.
But, just maybe, it will bring a few new traditions, and new ways to celebrate. One thing will never change: Death is conquered. The message of God overcoming death is an important message to hear especially this Easter as our hospitals deal with so much pain and death, and as so many families mourn.
Jesus is risen. He is risen indeed.
Marla’s Musings 