Back home for Holy Week

March 2021 Newsletter Article

It has now been one year since the life of our congregation, our community, and the rest of the
country was changed by the arrival of the coronavirus. Since then the life of the church has
gone through many phases, we have been online only, worshiped in the Disciples center,
outdoors, and in a hybrid format back in the sanctuary. Throughout that time the members of the
congregation have stood by each other in many ways. People volunteered to run errands and
buy groceries. Phone calls, cards, and front porch visits have kept people in touch. We have
even cared for each other as we said goodbye to four of our own due to COVID19.

Without a doubt, this has been one of the most challenging periods any of us have ever
experienced. This is why it is such a blessing to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Three
vaccines have now been approved for widespread use. Many in our congregation are fully
inoculated, and many others are partway through the process. Although it is far too early to
completely relax, Stoddard County infection rates are trending down. The widespread sense of
relief is palpable.

One manifestation of those changes is that we are going to be able to once again mark Jesus’
death and resurrection face to face. The virus’ arrival in the middle of Lent forced us to celebrate
Easter online. This year we are going to once again have Holy Week and sunrise services,
Easter breakfast, and an egg hunt in addition to our traditional service. It will look a little
different, but we will be together again praising God for Christ’s victory over the grave.

Experiencing both crucifixion and resurrection

This year all Holy Week and Easter Sunday events are going to be held at the church building.
Holding everything in one location will make sanitizing preparations easier. The sunrise service
will be held at 7 a.m. on the front steps, followed by a potluck breakfast at 8 a.m. in the Disciples
Center, and an Easter egg hunt organized by CYF at 9 a.m. You are invited to bring a lawn
chair and a dish to share for the potluck.

Holy Week is a time where we mark the frailty of human beings. Christ experienced loneliness,
injury, and death, just as many of us did during 2020. If you have not participated in Maundy
Thursday or Good Friday services before, this year is an especially appropriate year to
experience Holy Week in a deeper way.

The good news is that Good Friday is not the end of the story. Death is real, but is not the end.
2020 was harder than any of could have imagined, but it is also not the end of the story. Easter
is a time of resurrection and new birth. We have already seen manifestations of that new life in
the strength and resiliency that the members of this church have shown throughout the last few
months. Thank you for all that you have done for each other and for Dexter. In celebration of
that grace, please join us in two weeks as we celebrate Christ’s victory over the grave.