Well, Easter 2008 in Venezuela was a joy! And, it was different from the other Easters we´ve experienced here. Each year at Easter, we go worship with one of the congregations in our area that work closely with...and this year we worshiped with the wonderful folks of Lugar Altisimo....
How was this year different?? This year the Methodist Church actually celebrated Easter!! Historical note: When the first Protestant missionaries arrived some 70+ years ago--whether intentionally or incidentally--they led the "evangelicals" here to reject out of hand everything that the Catholics practiced or held dear. Well, they "threw the baby out with the bath water"...arriving at the point where they didn´t even recognize Christmas and Easter in the Church...or at least refused to celebrate them at the "traditional" times. This past Christmas and this Easter, the Methodists in Barquisimeto celebrated BOTH!! And, today´s Easter program at Lugar Altisimo was WONDERFUL!!!
We began the service with prayers and some wonderfully slow, worshipful choruses. Then, the children performed a choreographed dance on the theme of Easter. After their presentation, we sang choruses again...and a new one was introduced--"Lord I Lift Your Name on High"! First time we´ve sung it in Spanish...and it was beautiful. After the singing, the youth presented the Resurrection in drama...and it was beautiful! Pastora Yolanda ended the service with a brief sermon based on Matthew 28...proclaiming that the Tomb is empty...He is Risen...and He wants to live in you and me. After the service, we enjoyed a pot-luck together...arroz con pollo (rice and chicken), ensalada de pollo (chicken salad)...sandwiches...and some cake. It was a joyful time...and we truly experienced the joy of the Resurrection with our brothers and sisters at Lugar Altisimo.
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For Jon and Jeanne...Here in Hiawassee at Union Hill UMC we are inspired by your messages. This was recently extracted and shared in the church bulletin with our congregation: " We have grown in faith! We see other acts of faith and love, people giving out of their lack, dreaming beyond their means…we receive wonderful, joyful and life-changing lessons in faith." We always welcome your commentaries and continue our support...Gene Hinson
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