RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - HOLY WEEK

Well, the Clergy Superbowl is almost upon us, and so, I offer up this Friday Five (with apologies for the irreverent title):

1. Will this Sunday be Palms only, Passion only, or hyphenated?
Our children did their program so it was Palms-Passion.

2. Maundy Thursday Footwashing: Discuss.
Most folks here didn't even try the hahndwashing we did last year, so
footwashing would be even more traumatic.
This year we're doing an Upper Room Meal (a Sedar-like symbolic supper) with
readings mostly from John containing Jesus' last instructions to his
disciples. The dinner will be in the fellowship hall, around U-shaped table
with candle light. Holy Communion follows with adjournment to the Sanctuary
for the reading of Psalm 22 and stripping of the Altar.


3. Share a particularly meaningful Good Friday worship experience.
No Good Friday service here.
The ones I held in prison where the inmates did a Good Friday drama/skit.
They always were very meaningful.

4. Easter Sunrise Services--choose one:
a) "Resurrection tradition par excellence!"
b) "Eh. As long as it's sunrise with coffee, I can live with it."
c) "[Yawn] Can't Jesus stay in the tomb just five more minutes, Mom?!?"

And the winner is C!!! Getting up at 5 am or sooner to do a sunrise
service is just crazy. Then to have a two hour period with nothing and
too far to go home and come back again. My whole body schedule is thrown
off kilter and we sleep all afternoon. Give me the traditional later morning
service and I'm as happy as anything on earth!!!

5. Complete this sentence: It just isn't Easter without...
Zopf! A traditional Swiss braided bread. Oh, and dyed Easter Eggs.
Theologically speaking, it just wouldn't be Easter without the
Risen Christ! Alleluia! Amen!

Bonus: Any Easter Vigil aficionados out there? Please share.
Did one once. Not a fan. After 2 Maunday Thursday services, 2 Good Friday
services (noon and 7 pm) and 2 Easter services, why in God's good name
would anyone attend a Saturday Easter Vigil at 7pm (which is a long
service, by the way!). Being a good Lutheran Interim, I did flinch, but
complained mightly to LH, to God and into my pillow. It was exhausting
and attendence was not that great.
If my folks would attend Maundy Thurs. and if we had a Good Friday
service that would be miraculous and I would be content.