favorite things: Easter!

He is risen! 
He is risen, indeed!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

It has been a great Holy Week.  I am so grateful for the church I'm a part of and for the ways that we have walked through the past few days together: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.  Last night I attended an Easter Vigil for the first time - historically this is a service that lasts until midnight as churches welcome Easter together.  It was such a meaningful service, with a sweet baptism and shouts of "Alleluia!" as we celebrated the arrival of Easter - Jesus' triumph over sin and death.  It was a fun service!  If you ever have the chance to go to an Easter Vigil, I recommend it ;-)

This morning we used liturgy from Kenya as we celebrated Communion.  I love how this liturgy concludes - fitting for any time of the year, but particularly special today:

Pastor: All our problems

People: We send to the cross of Christ

Pastor: All our difficulties

People: We send to the cross of Christ

Pastor: All the devil's works

People: We send to the cross of Christ

Pastor: All our hopes

People: We set on the risen Christ!

Amen.