| Author | Message | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5603 Registered: 12-2003  |
Well, my mind is on Easter again. We're just finishing the March/April Proclamation!, and it's focussing on Easter themes: the significance of the resurrection and the cross, etc. There's a wonderful piece by our own Thomas1 that recalls his total oblivion to the significance of Easter as he grew up. He remembers wondering why people had huge dinners and family get togethers focussed on bunnies, eggs, and candyóand if it WAS a big deal, why the Adventists weren't part of it? What kinds of traditions are you forming as you now celebrate Easter? I'm realizing that I begin looking forward to Easter weeks in advance much as I've always anticipated Christmas. I love the smell of Easter lillies around the house, and we've begun a tradition of having Easter Brunch, an Easter egg hunt for the kids (and adults!) in the crowd, and a showing of The Visual Bible's Matthew in the afternoon for our Friday FAF group. I remember several years ago when Richard remarked that "Ham is the perfect New Covenant food." We always have ham at Easter, even though the turkey usually has more takers. It's sort-of a statementó(and yes, I do like ham!). We always have a moving Good Friday service at church that includes a baptismówhat a great time to be baptized! The most amazing thing, though, is that I actually know WHY I love and celebrate Easter. I am so aware of having Jesus' resurrection life; I have eternal life now! It is so overwhelming, and to share the excitement and joy with others who also understand what they've been saved from is such a wonderful experience. I'd love to hear how you all observe Easter! Colleen | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 381 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hello Colleen, Yes it is that time of the year again, and what a blessing it is. For the last couple of years I have attended services at Trinity Baptist in Kelowna BC. I have been most stirred and moved by the Good Friday service at 10am. This for me has been the most heartfelt presentation of the Gospel I have ever been too. If there is anybody from the Kelowna area reading this, I would wholeheartedly recommend this service. This year they will be presenting their Easter presentation 3 times. After this past Christmas program, I encouraged Pastor Tim to have his team prepare a e-invitation that could be shared. They liked my suggestion and here is the result, http://myEaster.ca . This is what I will be doing this Easter. God Bless, Randy | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5604 Registered: 12-2003 |
Randy, what a neat e-invite! Good idea...how cool that they took your advice! Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 628 Registered: 9-2006  |
Off topic chuckle for all the Lutrans out there. Love yawl. River  Come fly with me. WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE LUTRAN AIR IS NOW OPERATING IN MINNYSOTA! ALSO SERVING VISCONSIN, NORT AND SOUT DAKOTA. If you are travelin soon, consider Lutran (Lutheran) Air, da no-frills airline. You're all in da same boat on Lutran Air, where flyin is a upliftin experience. Dere is no first class on any Lutran Air flight. Meals are potluck. Rows 1-6, bring rolls; 7-15, bring a salad; Rows 16-21, a main dish, and Rows 22-30, a dessert. Basses and tenors please sit in da rear of da aircraft. Everyone is responsible for his or her own baggage. All fares are by free will offering and da plane will not land 'til da budget is met. Pay attention to your flight attendant, who will acquaint you wit da safetysystem aboard dis Lutran Air 599. Okay den, listen up. I'm only gonna say dis vonce. In da event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, I am frankly going to be real surprised and so vill Captain Olson, because we fly right around two tousand feet, so loss of cabin pressure would probably mean da Second Coming or someting of dat nature, and I wouldn't bodar with doze liddle masks on da rubber tubes. You're gonna have bigger tings to worry about den dat. Just stuff doze back up in dair little holes. Probably da masks fell out because of turbulence which, to be honest wit you, we're going to have quite a bit of at two tousand feet, sort a like driving across a plowed field, but after a while you get used to it. In da event of a water landing, I'd say forget it. Start saying da Lord's Prayer and just hope you get to da part about forgive us our sins as we forgive doze who sin against us, which some people say "trespass against us," which isn't right, but what can you do? Da use of cell phones on da plane is strictly forbidden, not because day may confuse da plane's navigation system, which is seat of da pants all da way. No, it's because cell phones are a pain in da wazoo, and if God meant you to use a cell phone, He would have put your mout on da side of your head. We start lunch right about noon and it's buffet style with da coffee pot up front. Den we'll have da hymn sing; hymnals are in da seat pocket in front of you. Don't take yours wit you when you go or I am going to be real upset and I am not kiddin! Right now I'll say Grace: "Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and let deze gifts to us be blessed. Fadar, Son, and Holy Ghost, may we land in Dulut or someplace pretty close." Amen | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 506 Registered: 6-2006  |
River, no joke. I've been saying that prayer my WHOLE life!! In fact, I've taught it to our kids and my husband and we use it if we're "in a hurry". And yes, I am a lifelong "Lutran", of Norwegian decent, and I still have family in Minnysota! The promised land. We observe Maundy Thursday (communion) and have dinner together as a congregation. Then Good Friday services where we lift a big black veil up so you can't see the cross behind the altar. Sunday morning we sing "Jesus Christ has Risen Today" and they remove the veil and I cry every time! My two sisters and I will be singing a three part for special music. Nothing makes me happier than singing with my sisters! Afterward we always have a big potluck (don't all Lutherans?) at our parent's house. Easter is HUGE in our family and at our little church. Amen! Leigh Anne | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 629 Registered: 9-2006 |
I vould love to spend vorship on good Friday services with you all and see the veil removed. My daughters married name is guess what? Yes, you guessed it "Olsen". River | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 507 Registered: 6-2006 |
HA! Ours are Jacobson and Knutson. You MUST pronounce the "K" if you're a good Lutran. I bet da pilot's name is Ole ant hiss sturdess is Lena! Sorry everyone... Back to Easter! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5605 Registered: 12-2003 |
No apologies neededóI'm here chucklin' to myself. My father was from Minnesota, but he was from Swedish descent (don't throw tomatoes, Leigh Anne!). His mother was Lutran, though, before she was Adventist. Her family name is Swanson. Hey, do yawl listen to Garrison Keillor? Lutran, Adventistóthere's so much similarity! Add to that the Minnesota understatement and plodding certainty that the other shoe will certainly fallómy sis and I feel like we're "back home" listening to Garrison. Her husband, who grew up completely unchurched in decadent Florida where there was no winter and no sweet corn, just has no idea what makes Garrison funny! Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3511 Registered: 3-2004  |
Randyg, Very nice e invite. If I lived near you, I would love to go. Have a glorious Easter. Diana | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 1019 Registered: 4-2000  |
River, Thank you for posting the humorous story about "Lutran" Air. It seems that this fictional airline is more honest than the conventional ones in the real world (smile). Oh yes, a potluck meal in the air would definitely be tastier than those inexpensive airline snacks. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Madelia Registered user Username: Madelia Post Number: 164 Registered: 2-2003 |
As a Minnesotan my whole life, with family name of Anderson, and growing up "Lutran" I must add that the potluck has to have jello, which in Minnesota is a salad! And it's "hot dish", not main dish or casserole. | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 638 Registered: 9-2006 |
Whatsa matter Dennis, don't you like the package with four potato chips that taste like compressed saw dust? To get back on Colleens subject of her thread we will be having an Easter Sunrise service at 6:30 AM and an Easter musical at 10:30 AM, no evening service. Looking forward to Easter Colleen. Then I guess I will take a nap as usual, us old folks got to have our naps. River | ||
| Honestwitness Registered user Username: Honestwitness Post Number: 243 Registered: 7-2005  |
At my conservative PCUSA church, we'll have a Maundy Thursday evening service to commemorate the last supper, a Good Friday evening service to commemorate the crucifiction, 40 hours of prayer from Good Friday through Easter morning, then a triumphant worship service on Resurrection morning. I've been practicing the music with the choir and it's going to be very moving. We have a sweet lady with a beautiful voice who will be doing a vignette as Mary, the mother of Jesus, and she'll sing "Bethlehem Morning," which was made popular by Sandi Patti. Then we have another song where Mary and Peter sing a duet about how they're determined to serve Him. It gives me goose bumps to think about it. On Resurrection Sunday morning we'll sing "Jesus Christ is Risen Today," which is one of my all-time favorites. We have a very gifted and talented pianist/organist who accompanies the singing. I'm already getting heart palpitations in anticipation of the joyful celebration of new life in Christ. Honestwitness | ||
| Gmatt Registered user Username: Gmatt Post Number: 29 Registered: 3-2005 |
A good friend just sent this announcement to me and I'm sharing the first portion of it with you as part of this discussion about Easter. In this case, the Adventists seem to be carefully 'guarding the edges' of Easter. Amazing how these meetings suddenly come to a stop on Saturday night with no mention of celebrating our Risen Savior on Sunday! Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Department of Public Affairs & Religious Liberty March 15, 2007 ANNOUNCEMENT: COME CELEBRATE A PASSOVER WEEKEND FROM A SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PERSPECTIVE APRIL 6 & 7, IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA Pastor Richard Elofer from Israel will be in Los Angeles to help us celebrate the Passover, a sacred memorial for Jews and Christians alike, a festival of Freedom. He will be joined by Alan J. Reinach, Esq., Director of Public Affairs & Religious Liberty for the Pacific Union Conference. A special service will be conducted at the Burbank Seventh-day Adventist Church on Friday evening, April 6th at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Come sing some traditional Jewish songs, and learn the spiritual significance of the Passover. The "Last Supper" that Jesus ate before his crucifixion was in celebration of the Passover, and was a traditional Seder meal. For Christians, an understanding of the Seder service gives depth and meaning to some of the final events in the life of Christ. Discover why Passover is the favorite Jewish holiday, beloved by children! On Saturday evening, April 7th, Pastor Elofer will conduct a Passover Seder at the New Otani Hotel, in Los Angeles, beginning at 6:00 p.m. A traditional Jewish meal [feast] will be served. This event is being sponsored by the Southern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in cooperation with the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. This is an occasion where Seventh-day Adventists and Jews can come together to celebrate some common elements of their religious faith, so please invite your Jewish friends. All should understand that this is not a "proselytizing" event, as is often conducted by Messianic Churches, but is one that respects both Jewish and Christian religious traditions. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3518 Registered: 3-2004 |
"All should understand that this is not a "proselytizing" event". Like *&^%_@#! it isn't. Excuse the language. I do not believe it. And where Is Jesus Christ in all of this??? Seeing as Resurrection Sunday is a couple of days away and ....... I will not say anymore on this. We have such an awesome God and He is ignored by adventists. Diana | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 640 Registered: 9-2006 |
Speaking of the Passover, what is the Passover to a Christian? Well, I am not prepared to give a long theological treatise on the Passover at this time (probably not in the future either) seeing as how I donít have a title before my name or formal education in theology that goes with it so I want to give it to you from the perspective of a feller who likes Old Tractors, puppyís, grandchildren and sich. As I reflect on what the Passover means to me this morning. In preparation for Easter a lot is said about it, many voices clamor in the world about it. Instead of talking about special meals, Easter lilies, sunrise services, and such I will try to give you what it says to me deep down, below all the activities going on. To start with I want to let my mind run gently over the scriptures, oh so gently, to a time when people were in a heap a trouble and God looked on them with pity. Back to the time of Moses. Now to make it short old Pharaoh didnít care much for Godís demand to free the people from hard bondage but after much persuasion this happened. Exodus 12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. Exodus 12:22 "And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. Exodus 12:23 "For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. Now that was a long time ago and yet it looked forward to today, today as then, people are in a heap a trouble, Satan is lordin it over the brick makers and he ainít givin no straw to makem with. Death passes throughout the land, ambulances scream up and down the highways, death stalks the door ways of every house in the streets of every city. A hush falls upon our hearts as the ambulance goes screaming by with its high notes of alarm in our neighborhoods, the sirens halt suddenly and we hear the squeal of brakes, the rattle of doors opening to receive another one. Our conversation grows hushed and quiet as we pass a long line of cars lead by a Hurst on its way to someoneís funeral. We may be on the way to the bank but we know someone is on his way to the grave yard and it has a quieting effect on our spirits. This is today, the year and the day, time has approached, the time for our Passover, it is a time to be humble, a time to speak quietly and to walk circumspectly before the Lord. The Lamb has been slain and the bunch of hyssop dipped in blood has been applied to the door post and lintel of our hearts and we will stay in our house till the morning comes. It is a time to warn our children, our neighbors and friends, they must have the blood applied for it is when God sees the blood that death cannot harm us. I am so reminded of an old hymn this morning. When I see the blood, I will pass, I will pass over youí The announcement that Gmat posted contained ìCome sing some traditional Jewish songs, and learn the spiritual significance of the Passover. The "Last Supper" that Jesus ate before his crucifixion was in celebration of the Passover, and was a traditional Seder meal. Thank you for posting that Gmat, it did remind to think of Christ death and resurrection although I am sure not in the way the announcement was intended for our Adventist friends. The spiritual significance of the Passover to me is that we each enter the time of Passover at birth and it lasts until death. We each who are alive are in the time of the Passover. The time of the Passover is fraught with danger on every side, danger for our love ones, friends and neighbors, Satan runs too and fro throughout in the earth seeking to destroy lives. I think I will spend Saturday evening in a prayerful attitude, spend it in quietness before the Lord and bring my love ones, friends and neighbors to the Lord in prayer. And that, my friends is what Passover means to me, it is not a time of celebration in song and dance but a time to be humble and quiet before the Lord, Ephesians 5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Should the Lord allow me, I want to arise next Easter Sunday and consider Jesus sacrifice, the spotless Lamb, I will give him thanks from my heart for his blood shed for me and for you. In fact I will not wait until next Sunday; I will give him thanks this morning for I am in the Passover. River | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3519 Registered: 3-2004 |
I like the way you see things. I have never thought of the Passover like that. I know I had a visceral reaction to things adventist. Thanks giving me something else to consider. What an awesome God we have. Diana | ||
| Snowboardingmom Registered user Username: Snowboardingmom Post Number: 256 Registered: 11-2005 |
Their announcement describing Passover weekend "From an Adventist persective" is actually quite truthful... This is exactly what I thought of the Easter holiday as an Adventist. There was so much focus on the crucifixion, what it involved, the symbolism, etc., without any mention of the resurrection. But without the resurrection, Christ's death means nothing! Don't they get it?!! That's the whole point. One can dwell on the symbolism of the "seder meal" all they want, and be reminded of the Jewish celebration through food and songs, but if they don't realize the joy and celebration of what happened Sunday morning, it's all meaningless. Jews and Adventists do have a lot in common. They don't know the risen Savior! Grace | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 1744 Registered: 10-2004  |
That announcement is incredible. It is sickening. They say: "the final events in the life of Christ" and there is no mention that HE'S ALIVE!!! Of course, the SDA "Jesus" ceased to exist, and had to be replaced by a "recreated Jesus"--not much to celebrate there! "This is an occasion where Seventh-day Adventists and Jews can come together to celebrate some common elements of their religious faith" That is just so blasphemous and a total denial of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection from the dead!!! In that whole thing, there was no mention of Good Friday (even though that's when their "SDA Passover weekend" begins), no mention of Easter Sunday, NO mention of the Resurrection of Jesus! Not too surprising. Jeremy | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 1023 Registered: 4-2000 |
When I also received this email invitation from the Pacific Union Conference, I thought that perhaps this was some type of spam (junk) email. So, I called the PUC religious liberty desk to determine if this event is for real. Amazingly, they fully confirmed the forthcoming event as being sponsored by the SDA Church. Dennis Fischer |
