Easter Monday Share

The RevGals are asking folks to share what went well, or not so well, at their churches this last week.

I'd like to share the Good Friday service at our church that was unusual and particularly meaningful.

As we entered the chapel where the service was being held we were encouraged to sign our names on a large piece of cloth. The entire service was shaped around the theme of Christ as the Lamb of God whose sacrifice atoned for our sins.

The scripture readings were Genesis 22: 1-8a; Hebrews 10: 1-14, John 1: 29-36. We sang the hymns When I Survey the Wondrous Cross and O Lamb of God Most Holy! A quartet also sang Behold the Lamb of God from Handel's Messiah.

The Reflection offered by Dr. Dave Peterson illuminated the Old Testament history of the Paschal Lamb.We all stood for the reading of the entire chapter 19 of the Gospel of John--the passion narrative.

Then a real lamb was brought forward and Dr. Peterson wrapped it in the cloth with all of our names inscribed on it. We were invited to come forward and place our hands on the head of the lamb as the Jews were told to do in Leviticus for the lamb that they offered for sacrifice. We then exited in silence.

Three large wooden crosses were placed in the courtyard opposite the chapel where you could go for more silent reflection.

It was a very powerful Good Friday message.

Good Friday Meditation: O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Traditional Holy Week "Surprise"

For the past few years a "surprise" hits the media outlets that seemingly challenges or undercuts the basic tenets of Christianity during Holy Week. Sometimes its an archeological artifact or "lost" gospel manuscript which later is shown to be either a hoax or not "new" information after all and sometimes it is a book with a controversial thesis.
So I'd been wondering what Holy Week Surprise we'd be treated to this year and was just about to conclude that the very early Easter date might interfere with this newly evolving "tradition" when I read on Ben Witherington's blog that Bart Ehrman's new book, titled God's Problem, may fit the bill. I haven't read the book yet but Witherington links to a reviewer that has, so you can check it out here.

The last Ehrman book I read suffered from the author's determination to make his research fit his thesis rather than allowing his research to shape his thesis. So I wouldn't be surprised to see this be once again more Ehrman's problem than God's problem. God's problem in this book is the problem of suffering--which is a profound theological question indeed. However anyone who has read the entire Bible knows that it teaches that believers will have suffering in this world but that God will be with us in that suffering.

As Witherington notes, Ehrman is continuing to react to his early religious background which was very conservative and literal in its interpretation of Christianity. A professor of religion at UNC-Chapel Hill, he is now an agnostic rather than a believer. I've listened to many of his lectures for The Learning Company and find that he is a talented lecturer and scholar. He's clearly still wrestling with Christianity, and I pray that at some Holy Week in the future Ehrman will surprise us again with a return to a newly understood faith.

Palm Sunday Third Blogversary

My azaleas and other spring flowers in the front yard are blooming their little hearts out on this gorgeous Palm Sunday in Sugar Land.

Today is also the third anniversary for Quotidian Grace, the blog. What a blessing this has been. Thanks be to God for the "nudge" that started me blogging, and thanks to all the wonderful Gentle Readers and Presbybloggers who've stopped by here to comment and encourage me in this venture.

Have a blessed Holy Week!

Jesus Christ is Risen Today

Here's a quiet version of my favorite Easter Hymn that we sang with trumpets and tympani in worship this morning. He is risen indeed!

Holy Saturday Vigil

Images of Calvary

Christianity Today posted a very nice slideshow of contemporary Christian artists' images of Calvary. Check it out here.

Hat tip: Presbyweb.