For hundreds of years, faithful members of God's chosen people had made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the sacred temple there to celebrate the Passover with family and friends. That particular year, as Jesus made his way into the Holy City was very much the same, and so very, very different. Families came together to fellowship and worship and remember. Friends greeted one another in the streets and arrangements were made for the seder meal as traditions were continued and passed on from generation to generation. And in the midst of the frivolity and chaos, Jesus rode towards the city gates on a donkey just as Jeremiah had prophecied so many years before. And hopeful Jews who had heard the rumors, seen the miracles, who had memorized and watched faithfully for the signs of the messiah, cheered excitedly, waving palm branches and laying down their cloaks to pave the way Jesus to enter the Holy City that fateful day in history.
Today we celebrate his "Triumphal Entry" as Palm Sunday, and much as the Jewish families flocked to Jerusalem to celebrate with family and friends in the temple so well known to their people, my daughters (and in truth, myself) yearned to return to the church family they have grown up with and the traditional celebrations they know and love in order to celebrate this start of Holy Week together. So, this past Sunday, we returned for a "visit" to our home church, The First United Methodist Church in Fairview, Oklahoma.
For 119 years, members of this church have been meeting faithfully to worship and live life together in this rural community in Northwest Oklahoma. They started meeting in 1893 with the branches of an elm tree serving as their only protection from the elements. They met in homes and schools until in 1901, they opened the doors of their first church building on the corner of 7th and Walnut. (That church now completes my perfect view from my kitchen window as it sits lovingly cared for at the Major County Historical Society next door.) By 1939 the congregation had expanded and a building expansion was needed as well, so a new modern brick church was built next door. (This church now houses the Fresh Start Fellowship and services continue to be held there on Sunday mornings.) On August 1, 2004, the church family made their way though the streets of Fairview, leaving behind the 65 year old building and making their home within the walls of a new, incredibly beautiful church located on east elm street.
It was within these walls, that our family chose to celebrate Palm Sunday this year, and oh, what a joyous occasion it was! We delighted in the heartfelt welcomes and sweet embraces of our friends as we made our way to our "regular" pew, and the girls hurried into the foyer to take their places in line with the other children waiting to begin the palm parade. We were greeted at the sanctuary doors and given the weekly bulletin as Pastor Rich Redinger began making the day's announcements. We couldn't help but smile as the children paraded in waving their branches and circling the pews as we sang "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus" in celebration of the recognition of the kingship of God's Holy Son.
As we joined the praise team in musical worship, my voice caught in my throat as the Holy Spirit made His presence known within the room and within my soul. I cried again as Pastor Rich read to us an account of the brutal persecution and crucifixion of our Lord and Savior and once again as I watched my middle daughter draw pictures of Jesus on the cross surrounded by the smiling faces of angel children sitting at God's feet as he "told them the story of Jesus coming back to life."
As the service came to the end, I felt prepared for the Holy Week ahead and looked forward with excitement towards the celebration of Easter next week. The children, with Easter also in mind, raced to get their baskets and gather in the fellowship hall in preparation for the annual Easter Egg Hunt to begin. I raced from lawn to lawn in hopes of catching each of my girls in action, and realized that I haven't gotten a good egg hunting picture of my oldest since my youngest was born.
The kids had a fantastic time as parents caught up on the week's events and exclaimed over the utter adorableness of each other's little egg hunters, and made plans for the kid's program on Wednesday and the upcoming Maundy Thursday service, which is were we made a point to be tonight.
Maundy Thursday is the day in which Christians gather in remembrance of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. It was the last time he gathered with all of his original disciples and when he presented his body and blood to them as a symbol of the sacrifice that was soon to come. Some Christians partake of a traditional Seder, or Passover meal, but at Fairview 1st UMC, we celebrate with baskets of LJS (Long John Silvers, in case you're not abbreviation savvy), olives and cheese and dried fruits and pita bread. We forgo the utensils and dim the lights, and immerse ourselves as much as possible into a meal that somewhat resembles so many that Jesus and his followers would have shared. As the eating slows, the "disciples and Jesus" make there way onto the stage where a Divinci-esque table has been prepared. One by one, the disciples share their stories of meeting, following, and often dying for the One who called them by name. In time, Jesus (portrayed by Pastor Rich) lifts the bread and cup and offers himself as a living sacrifice for not just those at the table, but for all mankind. The presentation is poignant and solemn and serves as a reminder of the darkness of the crucifixion that must come before the light of Easter morning.
It has been a blessing and privilege this week to return to where our Steeple Chase began. The First United Methodist Church of Fairview is a beautiful body of Christ housed within the walls of an equally beautiful church building, and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to worship together here during this most holy of weeks, and I assure you, my friends, that if you are looking for a church to attend this coming Easter Sunday, you, too, would be most welcome within these walls. God bless you and Happy Easter to you all!
 |
| Happy Easter from our family to yours! |
No comments:
Post a Comment