Holy Saturday: Great Vigil of Easter

Today, my husband and I worked from 9-6, and went out to dinner after work. After dinner, I dropped my husband off at home, then I drove to a church approximately eleven and a half miles away to attend a Great Vigil of Easter service. This was the only church that I'm aware of in my area that presented this service tonight. I'm sure that there were others, I just didn't know about them.

I reached the parking lot five minutes before 8:00 pm. I left my car and walked toward the church. Several people were lined up, holding candles. A man gave me a bulletin and a candle. I thanked him, and stood near the other people.

The pastor said a few words of introduction, and one of the other robed people lit a small fire. After a prayer, the paschal candle was lit. After some singing, one of the people lit her candle from the paschal candle, then started lighting other people's candles. The fellow next to me lit my candle. Other people lit other people's candles. A breeze fluttered by, and I lifted my bulletin to shelter the candle flame. The breeze turned into a wind, and blew out my candle as well as the candles of some of the other people. Everyone walked closer to the church entrance. Someone lit the candle of the fellow to my left. He lit my candle, then I lit the candle of the fellow to my right.

This reminded me of faith. Sometimes, my faith appears to be blown out by the wind of despair. Being around other people with strong faith helps me to regain my faith, and in turn, I hope that I can help other people regain their faith.

We all entered the dimly lit church and stood in the pews. After some music and speaking, we silently sat down.

We listened to biblical readings that were read by various people. There were prayers in between the readings.

More singing, more readings, then a very interesting sermon, followed by a reaffirmation of the baptismal covenant. I was delighted by the part when the pastor sprinkled all of us with water.

We exchanged the peace with one another, followed by the Lord's Supper (Communion), a prayer, a song, and some beautiful organ music.

Before I left, I told the pastor that I enjoyed the service, and that this was the first Great Vigil of Easter service that I have ever attended. I'm glad that I went.

Tomorrow, I will attend the Easter service at my home church. I'm looking forward to it.

The adventure continues here:

http://easter-journal.blogspot.com/

Good Friday

Today, I attended a noontime Good Friday service. Six pastors from five local churches (including mine) presented readings and brief sermons during the solemn and emotional service. We sang serveral hymns and also listened to musicians and a solo singer. This is the first Good Friday service that I have ever been to. I'm glad that I went.

Maundy Thursday

I didn't post yesterday because I wasn't feeling well. Today and yesterday, I did my usual: no sweets, no tv. Instead of sweets, I've been eating bread. Instead of tv, I've been watching some videos on YouTube. Does this makes me a hypocrite? I don't know! I'm still so new to this! And yes - I'm still having trouble sticking to my one hour Internet limit!

Thirty-sixth Day of Lent

Today was quite a busy day.

I did my usual: no sweets, no tv. I'm still having trouble sticking to my one hour Internet limit!

Thirty-fifth Day of Lent

Errand day again.

This week I start a new dance class schedule:

Monday: Hula and jazz

Tuesday: Afro-Brazilian

Wednesday: Hip Hop

Thursday: Tap and Hip Hop

Friday: Afro-Brazilian

I will be dancing for eight hours a week! I hope I survive it!

I did my usual: no sweets, no tv. I'm having trouble sticking to my one hour Internet limit!

Palm Sunday

Three of my friends/co-workers and I were going to San Francisco to visit the Norwegian Seaman's Church and other places; however, two people canceled. One of my friends still went.

I boarded the Caltrain train at my usual station, and my friend got on at a later station. She lent me a pamphlet about Grace Cathedral, and I read portions of it while she re-read a paper she had written a long time ago about the architecture and art of the cathedral. After she finished re-reading her paper, I returned the pamphlet to her, and I read her paper. I like her writing style.

Instead of going to the Norwegian Seaman's Church first, she wanted to go to Grace Cathedral first.

After we arrived in San Francisco, we walked for a bit, caught the 30, walked a bit more, caught the 27, walked a bit more, then arrived at Grace Cathedral, third largest Episcopal cathedral in the United States.

The building is quite spectacular on the outside and even more beautiful on the inside. My friend and I studied the murals and and observed the stained glass windows before finding a place to sit.

The service was very formal and the singing was beautiful. The Dean and one of the Lectors have British accents, which added a nice touch. The liturgy was very similar to Roman Catholic liturgy. The incense bothered me somewhat; however, I liked everything else about the service.

After the service, we visited the refreshment area and the gift shop.

We then visited a neighborhood park, and wandered around a bit. My friend was hungry, and she wanted something more substantial than the waffles and coffee that are served all day at the Norwegian Church.

Two local hotels served brunches for $59.00 and $79.00. That was more than either of us were willing to pay, so we took a cable car to Fisherman's Wharf and walked for a few blocks to Ghirardelli Square.

We ate a late lunch at a pleasant place which had reasonable prices and a very nice view of the Bay.

We wandered around a bit, then took the 30 back to the Caltrain station. We didn't have time to visit the Norwegian Seaman's Church this time; however, we may go back again on a week day.

We boarded the train, then said our goodbyes at the her station. I exited at my station, then drove home and took a nap for a few hours.

My husband was visiting friends from work, then he came home around 10:30ish. We went to dinner, came home, and I started writing.

I missed my home church; however, it was fun visiting a different church. We are all brothers and sisters.