Prayer card idea: Hosanna on one side (meaning something like "Please save us"); Alleluia on the other ("Praise the LORD"). Ready to be flipped over on Easter morning!
Dear parents,
When asked today if I'm ready for Easter, I crinkled my nose and clarified, "Spiritually or practically?" Either way: No, I'm not quite ready!
Like a baby kicking and crying at baptism—not ready per se—my feelings and level of preparedness for next week don't diminish the reality of God's once-for-all Gift that stretches across history and geography, the gift which we'll celebrate in a particularly intense way on Easter Sunday.
Photo evidence of us not feeling perfectly ready for Easter the past several years...
I went back and read my Holy Week recommendations from last year (with links to coloring pages, etc. for those who might be traveling and/or unable to attend in person). Much remains the same:
Live the week, quietly if possible;
read the Last Supper account together (we will do this in atrium this week); and
celebrate on Easter!
A few scheduling notes:
Palm Sunday
Rather than atrium opening at 9:30 as usual, at that time we all will be gathering outside in front of Randolph Elementary. Children are invited to help distribute palms and to lead the Palm Sunday procession, singing "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" (lyrics below for those who'd like to rehearse!).
"Bible study at the picnic tables" for 10-13 year olds will also meet in front of Randolph this week in order to join the palm procession on time.
During the week:
Decide which Holy Week offerings will work for various family members: Stations of the Cross, Confession, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday. . .
The sensory nature of these moments—footwashing, darkness, simple lentils for dinner (closely followed by colorful light and feasting on Sunday!!)—conveys a great deal about the Easter story to both children and adults.
Easter Sunday
Again, arrive early if possible with flowers from your yard (or from a friendly neighbor's garden, or the friendly bodega, or Trader Joe's). Our custom is for the children to arrange flowers to create our Resurrection Garden!
We won't open atrium on Easter Sunday, but will still provide art supplies and other materials in the nook, including some gorgeous Ukrainian pysanky coloring pages.
Feast!
Looking forward to flipping our "Hosannas" to "Alleluias" together! Let me know how I can help.
love—Josie
Part of the Resurrection Garden on our first Easter at Incarnation
All Glory, Laud, and Honor
Words by Theodulph of Orleans; music by Melchior Teschner and William H. Monk
Chorus: All glory, laud, and honor To Thee, Re-deem -er, King To whom the lips of children Made sweet ho-san -nas ring Verse 1: Thou art the King of Is-ra -el, Thou, Da - vid's royal Son, Who in the Lord's Name com - est, the King and Blessed One. Verse 2: The company of angels are praising thee on high; And mortal men and all things created make reply. Verse 3: The people of the Hebrews with palms before thee went; Our praise and prayer and anthems before thee we present. Verse 4: To thee before thy passion they sang their hymns of praise To thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise Verse 5: Thou didst accept their praises; accept the prayers we bring. Who in all good delightest, thou good and gracious King.
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