Dear Caldwell,
Many of us participated in the prayer vigil, so thoughtfully created by Peg Robarchek, Liz, Jim and Eric Wagner and Caroline and Joe Lublinkhof and those stations remain in place. Today, offsite,wherever we may be, we continue in vigil in our hearts. That is appropriate. While part of us is ready to sing “Alleluia,” we are not there yet. The “Triduum,” or three days, isn’t quite over. Christ asks us to be with him in the tomb just a bit more, dying to whatever keeps us from being ‘new’ in him. In particular, we think about Mary, mother of Jesus. Member Emily Cox imagined what Mary might have felt and expressed it in a moving poem below.
As for tomorrow, we begin the celebration together with breakfast. From 9:30 until 10:45 we will have a heavy continental breakfast in the Shelby room and on the lawn as we decorate our cross with flowers. Just bring flowers, all food provided. Thanks to our hard-working Fellowship Committee.
In worship, we will hear the peals of horn and pipe organ lead us into singing “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today.”” We wrap up our sermon series on the “Anatomy of Christ,” exploring what it means to be his earthly body in light of the resurrection and to be “in Christ” through our baptism(1 Corinthians 12:27-31). Speaking of baptism, we celebrate with Amy and Travis Kiviranna as they present infant daughter Margaret Mae.
We continue to pray for Tom Bohr, whose triple bypass surgery is now scheduled for Monday morning, Chuck Atwell (wife, Judy) as Chuck rehabs from a stroke, Troy Bowles, Jared Gardner, who lost his mother, Julie Price (father in hospice care) and Rose Greenfield and family, and Randy Hood (who just lost a close friend) among other situations.
I want to thank everyone who has contributed so much to our Lenten season and Holy Week, through help with worship, prayer, study, congregational care, fellowship and caring for our children, music and so many other amazing contributions!
Let us hold vigil in our hearts for a while longer and then prepare to see the world and our lives in a New Light. In that spirit, I share a poem by member Emily Cox, reflecting on Michelango’s Piete:
In Christ,
John
By Emily Cox
It was hard to believe
when I held you the first time
not caring yet who you would be
but knowing you were mine
Your first words and steps
came so fast
yes you were special
the memories would last
I didn’t want to know
that I would bury my son
you to be remembered
as the only one
I still loved you
as any mother would
no more, no less
as much as I could
People looked down on you
and a few looked up
how would they know
what you’d become
I don’t know
why you had to go
save the world
and lead the way
I wish you didn’t have to die today
I’m not worthy
Why me, I ask
although they say I am
but why should I take on the task
I cried the day you died
as many people would
that day would be remembered
for the bad and for the good
I’m just another mother
sad to see her son go
save the world
and lead the way
I wish you didn’t have to die today
People mocked you
and would not believe
I raised you
only to see you leave
I understand now
how much they needed you
to save the world
and lead the way
still, I wish you didn’t have to die today
I miss you son
but I’ll see you soon
in heaven you’ll be waiting
my arms open to you
People pray
my name everyday
for my son to come
save the world
and lead the way
sadly, I am glad
you died that day
~Mary
Mother of Jesus
Emily Cox 2004