Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008 Sometimes we miss the "point" about Easter. "Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!" The acclamation was shared numbers of times on Easter morning, beginning in the parking lot of the Fellowship Hall, with our light breakfast, and continuing with worship which followed at 10 AM. Here are some of the events and happenings of the morning. Click each photo to enlarge. Darlene Tasso brought acrocheted"purse," but we were quickly informed that it was not a purse! The church has been using a paper cup to hold thumb tacks for the Fellowship Hall bulletin board, but now it will have a proper container, a crocheted thumb tack container. Bulletin board architects and construction crew, Steve Vasko, Pete Midgarden, and Charlie Canning (l to r, back row) received the thumb tack container from Darlene Tasso (front row). Charlie has already got his finger into the container to haul out the first thumb tack! Now it is Easter breakfast time. Margaret Stephens, Henrie Burnett, Ruth Ann Bultinck, and Betty Pitcher have helped get the "spread" together and are waiting for opening prayer. With table blessing completed, the meal begins. Kerrie Williams and Gus Utter (l to r) start the line. Ruth Ann Bultinck, Margaret Stephens, and Betty Pitcher supervise. Martha Canning attends to last minute preparations, far right. Click each photo to enlarge. Kerrie Williams, Wayne Pitcher, and Gus Utter sample entrees as Henrie Burnett, Martha Canning, and Linda Gibbs (l to r) keep the serving line moving. Decisions, decisions! Cindi Johnson and Becky Vasko (l to r) stood ready to pour milk, coffee, or tea. Margaret Stephens, Ruth Ann Bultinck, and Martha Canning oversee thedelicacies (l to r, foreground). Linda Gibbs and Betty Pitcher share encouragement as they look for silverware (l to r, background). Click each photo to enlarge. Pastor Dave, coffee cup in hand, receives some egg-bake from Ruth Ann Bultinck. Look at those huge strawberries! Linda Gibbs and Shirley Stephens share a light moment (l to r, foreground) while Cindi Johnson, Ruth Ann Bultinck, Martha Canning, and Betty Pitcher discuss events (l to r, background). We were unable to get everyone into one picture, but this is close. Betty Pitcher, Gus Utter, Wayne Pitcher, Steve Vasko, Shirley Stephens, Linda Gibbs, Henrie Burnett, Margaret Stephens, Becky Utter, Roland Snarr, Kerrie Williams, and Pastor Dave Johnson shared a conversation time after the Easter meal. Pete Midgarden, Ernie Burnett, Charlie Canning, and Mack Gibbs (l to r) posed for the event, farthest table back in the Fellowship Hall, but the muffins were just as sweet. Click each photo to enlarge. Ruth Ann Bultinck and Cindi Johnson (l to r) shared a moment after serving. Austin Gibbs, soon to be a Navy man, had breakfast with Pete Gibbs, another Navy man (l to r). Martha Canning and Betty Pitcher shared a moment before beginning the cleanup process. On Easter Sunday morning it was the yellow pansies at the church sign that welcomed visitors first, handiwork of Ed and Mary Kinsey. Click each photo to enlarge. Harley Caddy checked out the friendly railing to get up to the familiar church door. Meanwhile in the Fellowship Hall, food put away now, the choir practiced before the service. Ruth Ann Bultinck, Mary Kinsey, Betty Pitcher, Charlie Canning, Steve Vasko, Wayne Pitcher, Pete Midgarden, and Ed Kinsey (l to r in the choir line) sang while Shirley Stephens played piano and Cindi Johnson directed (l to r, foreground). Additional choir members, Sylvia and Ken Caldwell (far right) hit the notes as well. Meanwhile, in church organist Mike Coleman began the prelude. Easter lilies adorned the sanctuary. Click each photo to enlarge. Easter lilies proclaimed the risen Savior along with banner. The Lenten wreath of thorns, now with every candle again lit, joined in the refrain, "He is risen indeed!" The service was almost ready to begin. Austin Gibbs lit the altar candles. Austin Gibbs also lit the candles on the wreath of thorns. Each Sunday one candle of six was extinguished during Lent. The central Christ candle was extinguished at Tenebrae, Good Friday, signifying that the Light of the world has been crucified. On Easter morning all candles are lit, for the Light of the world is risen indeed! Trumpeter Summer Bonner joined in glad music, proclaiming the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Click each photo to enlarge. The formal Easter Communion began with an invitation to confession. The altar railing was covered by the traditional linen cloth of past days, a remembrance of Swedish tradition at Zion. Pastor Dave led the congregation in prayer. The Easter choir assembled for its anthem. Charles Canning, Ruth Ann Bultinck, Ed Kinsey, Mary Kinsey, Steve Vasko, Betty Pitcher, Pete Midgarden, Sylvia Caldwell, Wayne Pitcher, and Ken Caldwell (l to r) proclaimed the risen Christ. Director Cindi Johnson (back to the congregation) directed the special music. Pianist accompanist Shirley Stephens is off-camera to the left. Pastor Dave shared a message of the "Empty Tomb," portraying a 10 PM news anchor at Jerusalem station "ALIV" the evening of Easter, 33 AD. He introduced a number of "film clips" of Bible men and women close to the resurrection that Easter day. Click each photo to enlarge. Communion was part of the Easter celebration. Pastor Dave entertained special announcements prior to dismissing the service. And yes, there were announcements to share with members, guests, and visitors.