Maundy Thursday reflections

"And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on; And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on. And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing His love for me, And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, And through eternity, I'll sing on."


This is the closing stanza of the hymn Robbie sang tonight, a capella, as the ladies of the Altar Guild participated in the ceremonial stripping of the chancel in the darkened sanctuary. The last stanza was perfectly timed to coincide with the brass cross coming down the aisle, and being handed to the acolyte to remove from the sanctuary.


Every year it is quite profound to witness, and especially so when there are people who experience it the first time.
Unfortunately, I was not able to catch Amber before she and her granddaughter left the property, to speak with her about it, but Judy might have. 


Immediately following the distribution of the Lord's Supper, the choir sang our anthem "Out of the Depths" which we drilled on Wednesday night and again prior to the service. According to Robbie, it sounded good, and others reported the same. 


Part of what moved me, besides the ceremony itself, was seeing the women taking part. There was Twila, who a year ago underwent open heart surgery. Also, Bonnie, still in treatment for cancer which was diagnosed only weeks after losing her son to diabetes. 

Ethel receiving the stole from Pastor, Bonnie and Donna have their backs to the congregation, blocking Terri from view. On the right are Ellen and Judy

Ethel and Terri, her daughter, every year are responsible for the appointments of the altar, lectern, stole, and the drape of the cross. Terri removes and folds it all, and lays it across Ethel's outstretched arms. Her mom has been ailing with an illness the early part of the year, not her usual self. It was great to see Ethel in this role yet once more.


On Good Friday we are singing again, at the beginning of the service, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", a choral piece, and we are running through it before service again. I must must must remind myself to not watch The Five to the very end to get to church in time to rehearse. 


On days like these, I could use a DVR but do not wish to be caught up in that trap again. That thing held me captive! I remember taking it back to Comcast after Justin moved out the last time, standing in line with the DVR tucked under my arm. The man in front of me had one, too, and I told him it would be the best day of his life to get rid of it. He looked at me sort of funny (really?) and said, "I am trading this one in, and getting two more".
Oh, never mind.....