If someone would have told me that I was going to spend about 7 hours in church on Easter Sunday in three different worship services and not understand most of what was being said or sung, and the day turned out to be very powerful and exciting, I might have wondered if they knew me very well. Turns out, that was our day. Lots of church, and lots of fun.
After an early breakfast of home-made cinnamon rolls, we walked down the road to UCI's worship center for their 7:00 am Easter Sunday service. These Sunday morning services started only 4 months ago, mostly because several new believers, many of them recent converts from voodoo, had asked for a Sunday morning service of their own. I had a chance to preach, which was a thrill, especially since it was Easter Sunday morning. Before the service was even over, JeanJean, Pat O. and I jumped in the Toyota headed to the Maranatha Church for their morning service. Most Sundays JeanJean travels between both of these churches, preaching and leading worship. Today wasn't planned, but the scheduled pastor was sick, so JeanJean asked me if I'd like to preach again. Why not! It only seemed fair since we've made the Mompremiers run back and forth between several services and classes when they've visited Orchard Hill Church. Pat got a chance to close off the service with a prayer.
Probably the high point of the day for all of us was the special community Easter Service later in the afternoon at the worship center. Choirs and groups from several churches were part of the service, many of them involving youth and teenagers. Some of the youth gave a skit throughout the service of the story of Jesus' death and resurrection. The music was powerful, amazingly energetic, joyful and Spirit-filled. Hard to put into words. It all lasted 3 and a half hours. It could have gone longer, but the sun was going down and people had to walk home. There was one unique part of the service that we contributed to. At the close, after an inspiring word of celebration from JeanJean, he invited everyone (about 450 people) to get up off of their feet and dance in praise of what Jesus has done for us. Then the music began... it was the Interlude song that all of you UNI fans are so familiar with. And our team was right in front leading the dance, along with about 20 students that we had taught the dance to yesterday. How's that for an Easter service closing!
That's all for today. We're all pretty beat, but still smiling. We've got a few full days ahead of us. So, keep us in your prayers.
Love from all of us to all of you.
And Happy Easter! He is risen!
On behalf of the team.... Doug Tensen
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