Holy Week worship opportunities

It is an incredible effedt that a live donkey has on Palm Sunday celebrations.  For the past four years Bowtie, donkey, has been used to bring Jesus into the parade festivity.  In past years, the minister played the role of Jesus, but in the last three years, members from the congregation who come from other nations have played the part of Jesus and his triumphant entery into Jerusalem.  This year the father of a very active family who migrated from Mexico played Jesus' part.  His whole family was very proud to have Jesus represented by husband and father.  In addition, the Hispanic congregation felt an affirmation of their inclusion in a predominately Anglo congregation.  This year, Bowtie did not participate.  He died, but his son Headllights was the donkey that brought the person of Jesus in procession into the sanctuary. Headlights even paraded Jesus inside the sanctuary.  It was a great sight!

On Maundy Thursday the worship celebration included a depiciton of the Last Supper using men from the church as disciples.  For the many who attended the dipiciton was strongly felt.  At the end of the service the stripping of the sanctuary of the symbols of faith was very moving. 

Finally, the children's presentation through song and story was the exclamation mark.  The chidren totally felt that their witness was relevant and important.  Never, have I seen such dedication and enthusiastic participation by the chiledren and their parents in their production of the Easter story.