A Tale of Two Emotions

Last night was the Annual Great Chili Cook-off at one of Hubby's churches. It's a fund-raiser for the combined Mission Team who are planning a trip to Haiti next year. It was well attended, not only by both churches but by a dearth of community and area folks.

There were 15 Chili entries in this year's cook-off. You donated some money and then got to sample all of the recipes. At the end of the dinner, you vote for your favorite chili and the winner gets a grody chef's hat with a fake chili pepper and his/her name written on the hat in magic marker.

Besides the Great Chili Cook-off, the Mission Team holds an auction with a real auctioneer and his volunteer sidekick. It's a lot like the stand-up of Laurel & Hardy, Lucy & Desi and well - you get the picture. These two guys feed off each other and it lends occasion for lots of laughter.

This year's fare included several homemade pies which went for $31 - $60; a box of ties for $8; gift baskets for $35 - $50; a Marshmellow shooter made out of PCV pipe for $10; a 2 liter of Diet Coke for $10 (sticker said $1.29) and an grape shipping box loaded with homemade jellies for $20. There was lots of other stuff too.

I laughed until my sides hurt and I cried. But then the crying turned serious when I realized how much I love these folks because of how much they love my husband and D2 and how they love each other.

Not fair.

Update

Four boxes packed. Five broken fingernails. Dining room filled with boxes.

Easter Sunday

Let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich"
Let the blind say, "I can see"
It's what the Lord has done in me!

Hosanna, hosanna
To the Lamb that was slain
Hosanna, hosanna
Jesus died and rose again!

To the river I will wade
There my sins are washed away
From the heavens' mercy streams
Of the Savior's love for me!

I will rise from waters deep
Into the saving arms of God
I will sing salvation songs
Jesus Christ has set me free!

Hosanna, hosanna
To the Lamb that was slain
Hosanna, hosanna
Jesus died and rose again!

Let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich"
Let the blind say, "I can see"
It's what the Lord has done in me!


Hillsongs United
Picture: Women arriving at the Empty Tomb
photo grab: heqiarts.com

To Life

Last evening's Seder Service went very well.

Instead of having it in the church, I decided to move it to my empty parsonage (which is attached to the church) where I could use the kitchen and the dishwasher.

One of my spiritual gifts is hospitality. My back and feet hurt terribly today (I've overdosed on Aleve) because I was on them all day yesterday cleaning, washing, setting up, preparing and hostessing last night. I did have several offers for help, but I prefer to do things like this my own way. For me, it's a labor of love.

I discovered dirty white lacy tablecloths in the supply closet. Whisk. Into "my" washer and dryer they went. Came out beautifully!

In the same closet I found a stack of burgandy placemats - enough for a dinner party for 50! And they even matched the fancy pillow I brought from home. Score!

At Wally World, I found matching paper plates, 6oz cups (f0r Matzo Soup), 3 oz cups for the "wine," napkins, forks and spoons.

From home I brought good china for Elijah's setting. It matched the platter for the egg, bone, parsley, horseradish and charoset.

At the church I found serving plates and pitchers that went very well with my china. Into the dishwasher they went.

I made Matzo Soup with kosher stuff I found at the Nearby City store with a Jewish sounding name. Easy enough - except I forgot that the matzos swell up! I was figuring two or three per serving, but most folks only got one! That was all that would fit in the 6 oz serving cup!

The charoset was made with three varieties of apples, raisins, walnuts, honey and grape juice in my food processor.

The Passover Seder plate: SWMNBN brought me a lamb bone - bless her heart. A parsnip was used in place of the horseradish root (not that anyone noticed). The smallest real horseradish root I could find was 3 pounds.

Everyone sat around the tables as I led the service. I understand why Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Last night as I looked over the crowd, my heart was filled with love for these folks who have caused me so much pain, frustration and self-doubt. There was lots of chatter and way lots of laughter.

Everyone complained that the salt water used to dip the parsley in was too salty. I told them we were eating it in remembrance of the suffering the Israelites endured. They suffered for 400 years. We could suffer for a few more minutes until the next glass of grape juice was drunk!

I had to laugh when Socorro (my dear Hispanic friend) said that she "no like the 'rábano picante'" (horseradish) because it made her eyes tear up and her nose run. She makes fun of me because I don't like chilis or habeneros because they make my eyes tear up and my nose run!

After the meal I asked if anyone like parsnips. SWMNBN's Wonder Husband loves them, he said, so he got the package!

The kids got eggs full of candy for the Akifomen gifts. They also took home the rest of the matzahs and charoset.

No one wanted to go home. They all stood around and chatted and helped me clean up. It was a very good night. I set out to give them an experience with God and I think they did. A labor of love.

L' Chaim

We're having a Seder Observance tonight at CINS. It's been a long time (or so they say) since they've had one.

We have 50 people coming. That's just a few shy of a Sunday morning worship.
Curiosity mayhaps?

It isn't going to be a regular Seder Meal, although they'll enjoy Chicken Matzo Soup (made by my caring hands) and the rest of the Charoset. There will even be afikoman presents for the children (I insisted - it wouldn't be a Seder without children!).

During my student pastoring days in seminary, one of the congregations I served was blessed with a Messanic Jew. Murray (good Jewish name!) would wear his yarmulke and tallit and he would sing the blessings in Hebrew from his grandfather's Pesach book. What wonderful memories! What a wonderful sharing!

It's memories like those that remind me of the importance of what I do. Even though this has been such a difficult time in my ministry journey, I am reminded, again and again, that I'm helping to make memories.

Let tonight be such a blessing, God, I pray. L' chaim!

Palm/Passion Sunday

Last night I lay a-sleeping
There came a dream so fair,
I stood in old Jerusalem
Beside the temple there.
I heard the children singing,
And ever as they sang,
Me thought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Lift up your gates and sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!

And then me thought my dream was changed,
The streets no longer rang,
Hushed were the glad Hosannas
The little children sang.
The sun grew dark with mystery,
The morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Hark! How the angels sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!

And once again the scene was changed;
New earth there seemed to be;
I saw the Holy CityBeside the tideless sea;
The light of God was on its streets,
The gates were open wide,
And all who would might enter,
And no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night,
Or sun to shine by day;
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Sing for the night is o'er!
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna for evermore!

Words: Stephen Adams
Music: Fredrick E. Weatherly

(I have a memory from my childhood of this song being sung in my home church by a wonderful man who had a lung removed because of cancer. Even with only one lung, he could sing it loudly, strongly and triumphantly - every year. Thank you for the memory, Mr. C! I especially miss you on Palm Sunday! But I can hear you singing it with the Heavenly Choir.)

Friday Five: Time for Palms

I haven't played the Friday Five in quite a while so here it goes:

Mother Laura Writes:

Can you believe Daylight Savings Time is here already? It's hard to get used to the new, earlier onset. My family has been getting up and out a little late and a little sleepy in the mornings.

And can you believe that in two days it will be Palm Sunday for Western Christians? Our Lent is almost over, while our Orthodox sisters and brothers, whose liturgical year follows the older Julian calendar, are just starting theirs. Nicholas did a recent book report on George Washington, and we were surprised to find out that our first President's birthday was originally Feb. 11, since he was born just before the change to the Gregorian calendar. Apparently the change almost caused rioting, as some indignant people were sure that they were being cheated out of eleven days of their lives!

To help you adjust--and enjoy the process--here's a Friday Five about time and transitions....

1. If you could travel to any historical time period, which would it be, and why?

I would like to go back to the Middle Ages. I've always been fascinated with Medieval and Celtic History.

2. What futuristic/science fiction development would you most like to see?

A cure for all diseases.

3. Which do you enjoy more: remembering the past, or dreaming for the future?

The future. My childhood was difficult.

4. What do you find most memorable about this year's Lent?

Deciding to preach about grace to a self-righteous church.

5. How will you spend your time during this upcoming Holy Week?

Preparing for a Seder meal on Thursday and memorizing my part in the Easter Sunrise Service.

What part do you look forward to most?

I love, Love, LOVE the first service of Easter!