That’s about the only word we can think of to describe the joy we felt on Easter morning: the delicious breakfast, the magnificent music, the full sanctuary, the children and their butterflies, Emanuel’s baptism, the Word preached and the meal shared. Every minute of it makes us grope for words; but the word that lay buried in the cold ground of Lent and that burst out of our mouths on Easter morning, is the best expression of what happened. ALLELUIA!

Thank you to all who made this Lent, Holy Week and Easter so inspiring. To those who made soup, who attended the Lenten Vespers, who sang, who played instruments, who read scriptures, who prayed, who served communion, who greeted and welcomed guests, who served as ushers, who cleaned the sanctuary, who attended the Holy Week services, who made breakfast, who set up tables and cleaned up afterwards, who folded bulletins, who dyed eggs, who helped with coffee hour, who carried banners, crosses, candles and butterflies in the processions… in other words, to all of you, THANK YOU. And above all, let us THANK GOD for gathering us and filling us with the Spirit of the Risen Christ. May Christ’s joy raise you to new heights in the days, months, and years ahead.

Pastors Kari and Steve