Воскресение = Resurrection Sunday

In Russian the word for Sunday is the same word as resurrection.  Today we celebrated Jesus' resurrection with a special service at church.  The children performed a skit, sang songs, and recited poems - all the children except for Elizabeth, who for some reason decided not to get off her chair.  Here's the video of the children's program at church. 

 

We also sang You Are My King (Amazing Love) in church and it has been our family's song of praise today.

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well
Your spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken
I'm accepted, you were condemned
I'm alive and well
Your spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be?
That you, my king. would die for me
Amazing love, I know it's true
Its my joy to honor you
Amazing love how can it be?
That my king would die for me
Amazing love I know it's true
Its my joy to honor you
In all I do
I honor you

Here's a link to a YouTube video with this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dooif2-yAoI

Pussy Willow Sunday

Today was "Pussy Willow Sunday" - the name derived probably because palm trees do not grow here and pussy willows have taken their place in the symbolism of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. 

We were astonished by the number of cars parked along the streets and the crowds of people in front of the Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches.  These are not usual crowds for a Sunday, but are seen only 3 times a year - Christmas, Palm Sunday, and Easter.  Today people buy little bunches of pussy willows outside the churches and stand waiting for a priest to bless their twigs.  Some of the very religious will place these twigs in a special place in their homes devoted to the saints.  I have heard that some people will plant a blessed twig in each section of their garden to keep away anything that would harm their harvest and so that God would bless it.

In our church today, we did not follow the typical traditions of blessing pussy willow twigs.  We did not have an unusually large crowd in attendance.  But we did hear a sermon on how Jesus entered Jerusalem as King and people asked, "Who is this man?"  We too are left to ask, "Does Jesus reign in my life....or not?"  That is the question that has not been asked of these crowds waiting to have their pussy willows blessed. 

There is work yet to be done so that all people may say, "Hosanna!  Hosanna!  Jesus reign in our lives today!"