April 16, 2009
Apr 24th, 2009 by ocfairview
Alleluia! Alleluia!
What an Easter! This was my third Easter at Fairview, and I believe it was our best yet! The music was so beautiful! The choir was amazing! (If I do say so, myself! Ha ha!!) The transformation of the choir is really a miracle in itself! It was all but dead, and in pure Easter fashion it has been resurrected! Those E&C Christians who only appear on Easter and Christmas – must have really noticed the difference! Wow! Many thanks are due to our Music Director, Sean Burns and his leadership in this new direction! Our music program has truly been transformed! One year ago, we were choirless and leaderless –and with Easter promise on his side, Sean began his ministry with us the week following Easter Sunday. So this week we celebrate his anniversary! Be sure to wish him Happy Anniversary this Sunday and let him know how much you appreciate our music program!
The music was certainly incredible –but it was more than the music that made the service! If you were with us on Maundy Thursday you witnessed the table set, the black fabric draped, the cross crowned with thorns. You sat in the darkness after the cross had been taken out of the sanctuary, and you felt the weight of the evening. But when we arrived in church on Easter Sunday a transformation had taken place! Many thanks go out to the worship commission led by Betsy Zafuto, head of decorations, Ericka Racca, and worship chair, Marti Barmore who turned the dark night of Maundy Thursday into the bright light of Easter morn! With lilies on the cross, white and purple hangings, and the ever delightful flower cross. The children were adorable as they hunted for Easter flowers and changed the cross from plain to beautiful!
On top of all that –there was a feast at our Easter reception! The children hunted for eggs (which were donated by many of you, and lovingly stuffed with candy and hidden by Pam and Alicia Eastman). And dear Joan ordered us special pastries from French’s Bakery! Of course there also yummy treats donated by several of you. Thanks to Christina who always brings a special plate of goodies to share with us!
But it wasn’t all music, nor was it all décor, and even though we’ve got the best eats in town, it wasn’t the food either! There was something special about Easter Sunday that cannot fully be put into words. There was an energy in the sanctuary that came from all the people gathered together. We may not have had the crowds of the fairgrounds but we had something that the crowds there may not have had. There was something authentic about our gathering that touched my soul –and made me truly joyful! As I stated in my sermon, we live in a world of ambiguity – a world where there is no clear cut black and white –but we can find Allelulias in the midst of our Ambiguity –and that makes Easter come alive!
In case you missed the Easter Service please listen to the podcast! http://ocfairview.podbean.com/ or on our website at www.ocfairviewchurch.org
Tomorrow is Fantastic Friday! So be sure to join us for the Fantastic Fun! If you’re a kid –meet at the church at 6:30pm. There, Miss Frenacee and her capable team will be hosting a kid dinner, and showing a movie! If you’re an adult please join us at Acapulco restaurant. We’ll have an opportunity to chit chat and socialize while we chow down on yummy Mexican food! If you’ve got coupons –bring ‘em over. Note –we will host the children’s meal, but you’re on your dime at Acapulco.
FYI –our dear Joan Sullivan successfully underwent surgery yesterday. Always full of life and laughter, Joan celebrated her birthday three days early the night before she entered the hospital. You may or may not have gotten in the bet –but several FCC’ers bet on how much the portion removed from her body would weigh. Marge, Fran, Fran’s sister Barbra, Janet, Bea, Martha, & Carol –to name a few –all “weighed in” with their guesses. With a smile on her face, and a twinkle in her eye –having just removed the tube from her throat – Joan croaked out the words, “Turns out Bea was the winner!” I’m not sure what she wins –but we all win knowing that Joan’s surgery went well! Enjoy the laugh –you can believe Joan is!
This Sunday we celebrate Earth Day!
