We find some interesting places to hide Easter eggs around here! In a low hanging branch of a papaya tree…. |
…cradled in a huge leaf… |
Well, it’s been a while since we posted here, jumping all the way from Christmas to Easter! Sorry about that! Although Easter (Resurrection) Sunday has (looooong) passed by, we are still in the season of Easter (for a few more days!), celebrating the life, forgiveness and love of our Savior, Jesus Christ! We still wanted to share with you some of our Holy Week happenings this year and to encourage you to remain joyful as you continue celebrating Christ’s resurrection the whole year through!
After Jesus had washed his disciples feet as a symbol and gesture of service and love, he explained his actions to them and challenged them to carry on in the same way. John 13:34-35 says “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
On Maundy Thursday, we remember this new command (maundy means “command” or “mandate”).
Unleavened bread used in the Passover feast to remember God’s provision for the Israelites as they escaped captivity. |
Just a cultural bit – our church here in Malawi had its first Good Friday service this year. I’m used to attending a Good Friday service in the nighttime where candles are extinguished throughout the service to make a completely dark sanctuary as the Christ candle is carried out to signify the death and burial of Jesus. I cherish memories of such meaningful Tenebrae services, but also knew this year would be different. For various reasons, people mostly try to get home before dark and stay home. Safety, relying on minibuses or walking for transportation, lack of electricity (or reliable electricity or flashlights) all factor into the reasons of not going out much at night. So, in order to make a service more open to anyone who wanted to come, our church service was in the afternoon. Even the kids had a program during the service to learn about Good Friday on their own level. You’ll see what they made on our Easter table below (see Sunday!)
The Leaman Family says
What wonderful Easter ideas! We were missing the Love Feast and footwashing, too. I might have to borrow your other ideas for next year.
Jonathan and Becky says
Great! Now that we've done this at home, we love both family and corporate Love Feast and footwashing!