Dear friends in Christ,
A very happy Easter to everyone – I hope you all had a blessed Easter with your family and friends.
Now begins the second half of the great 100 days of Lent/Easter. The Church celebrates the Easter season (also known as “Eastertide”) for 50 days.
Throughout the season of Easter our services at Holy Cross start with an acclamation of the resurrection in many voices and languages. Anyone who knows a language other than English is invited to call out in that language “Christ is risen!” It is always a great joy to hear this global affirmation of the risen Christ.
We will be having a change in our services as I want to emphasize that the Psalm is a prayer, not simply a reading – so we pray it. You may also notice that it doesn’t conclude with, “Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. I like the way you pray together in our congregation. Perhaps, we can also sometimes alternate verses. Basically, the first reader will lead the psalm prayer before handing it over to the second reader. But both readers will come up together to the front and bow to the altar beforehand. The Spirit will be with us all.
May you enjoy the season of Easter! The Peace of the Risen Christ be with you.
Yukiko
