I enjoy the Easter Vigil service much more than Easter Day. The crowds are less. There are fewer distractions by Easter Bonnets and Easter Eggs and pastels (not that there's anything wrong with pastels). I just find the Vigil service to be more contemplative, more symbolic in its passage from darkness into light, a better way to ring in the ecclesiastical New Year.
We all three served down at Good Shepherd last night — +Kay Hill as an acolyte, +Margie Kleerup as a Eucharistic Minister (doling out the wine at communion, as well as carrying the cross in and out). I was more on the performance side — singing parts of the Exsultet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exsultet, though we did the Episcopal version). I also narrated a video based on Ezekiel's vision of the bones (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+37%3A1%E2%80%9314&version=NRSV), which was perfect for a "Voice of God" guy like me.
Regardless of one's theology (or lack thereof), the passage from darkness to light, from mourning to joy, from despair to hope, is a profound experience, and one that is I think extensible beyond the walls and people in a church or a particular faith.
Happy Easter, all.
We also had post-Lentan champagne and chocolates in the parish hall after the service, so that was a nice touch, too.
The Sparkling Cider at the kids table disappeared rather quickly. Also, a plague of locusts descended upon all the Dove chocolate on the kids table. It wasn't like all the kids were palming the chocolate. Nothing to see here, nothing at all.
Ever wondered if our perception of God makes God in our image, what if he was a she with a bit of a high squeaky voice?Easter Vigil is my favorite service of the year. Sadly, it’s an incense service. I miss it terribly.
She sounds like you, Dave!