Holy Saturday: Great Vigil of Easter

After work, my husband and I went out to dinner. After dinner, I dropped my husband off, and drove to a church approximately eleven and a half miles away to attend a Great Vigil of Easter service. Several churches held Good Friday Services; however, I don't know of many churches offering a Great Vigil of Easter service.

This service was very similar to last year's service; however, there were some differences.

After parking my car I walked toward the church. A man handed me a candle and a bulletin. I stood outside the church with 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. One of the robed people held a candle lighter. We lined up, had our candles lit by the fellow holding the candle lighter, then walked into the dimly lit church.

There were fewer people this year than last year; however, the service was just as nice this year as last year's service. There were scripture readings, prayers, hymns and an excellent sermon, a reaffirmation of the baptismal covenant, and the Lord's Supper (Communion).

I enjoyed this service as much as last year's service.

To be continued...

Good Friday

I attended two Good Friday services today. I attended a noontime ecumenical Good Friday service. Seven pastors from six local churches (including mine) presented readings and brief sermons during the solemn service. We sang some hymns, accompanied by excellent musicians and singers from one of the churches.

I also attended an evening Good Friday service at a church that is approximately 8.9 miles from where I live. My church didn't have an evening service this year. I looked on the internet to see what evening services were available, and I found five relatively local churches with Good Friday services at 7:30 pm. The service that I chose to attend was advertised as a concert, and I'm glad that I went. We listened to alternating scripture readings and songs. There were many instruments, a medium size choir, and some soloists, all of who are quite talented. I plan on attending this service again next year.

Some of the churches I have visited over the last few years...

(In alphabetical order. All churches are located in California. I haven't traveled out of state for a while. I miss traveling.)

Evergreen Presbyterian Church (San Jose)
First Presbyterian Church of San Jose
Grace Cathedral (San Francisco)
Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos
North Valley Baptist Church (Santa Clara)
Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church
Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno
University Presbyterian Church (Fresno)

stuff

Sometimes, I feel as if I lack discipline in some aspects of my life. I take showers, do the laundry, feed my husband, our cats, and myself, brush my teeth, go to work, church, 'ukulele class and several dance classes. I really should clean, declutter, sell some of my stuff, and donate whatever doesn't sell. I also have some paperwork that I need to shred and recycle. I receive Flylady emails; however, I haven't really disciplined myself to clean and declutter every day, or even several times a week.

Any advice?

Ash Wednesday

This Lent, I shall avoid the following items:

caffeine
credit cards
processed sugar
wheat (well, more for allergy testing than anything else.)

Anything else I should avoid?

Last year, I tried to write every day, perhaps to hold myself accountable. Last year seems so long ago!

This year, I'll just write from time to time.