Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday follows the Orthodox tradition and in Ukraine was one week later than in North America. Remembering what Jesus has done for us in always a positive when we remember the amazing sacrifice what God, through Jesus, has made available for us if we will reach out in repentance and accept His amazing act of love in dying for our sins. God's love transforms us each day and shapes us into the image of Jesus! This is God's plan for our lives!
Our Easter Sunday began with attending an Easter Sunrise Service along the Dnieper River in Dnipro where we joined with another EFCC church. Nineteen of us gathered that morning to read Scriptures (Matthew 26-28), sing some songs and share God's Word.
On Friday, Pastor Andrey had asked if I would be willing to share a short message. Pastor Andrey interpreted for me yesterday and it was a privilege to share from God's Word and remember what Jesus accomplished for us almost 2000 years ago. I was able to share from 1 Peter 1:3-4 where it talks about us having a 'living hope' and an 'inheritance' that are directly tied to Jesus' life, death and resurrection. If Jesus didn't rise from the dead, we are without hope today, but because He LIVES, we have a 'living hope' that can and will transform our lives today. We also have an inheritance that begins now and will be fully realized when we step into eternity to spend forever with God.
Even today, knowing Whose we are and what we have in God's eyes is amazing when we have experienced His salvation! We are adopted by God to be His sons and daughters; we are co-heirs with Jesus Christ which is absolutely amazing! We have been called to be co-workers with God and serve as His ambassadors to share His amazing Gospel with those who long to know that purpose of life! And there is so much more to give us a richness of life that is second to none!
From the Sunrise service, we then had a regular service at 10:30 am that focused on Jesus and His resurrection and what that means for us today. A highlight for us was having the kids come and sing to us near the end of the service and it was in ENGLISH! That was amazing! The guy who often interprets for us, leaned ahead to tell us what they kids were singing! We just smiled at each other!
From the service, we stopped to pick up a few a groceries, then we were on our way home. We were getting together with all the students for a picnic, some games and a time of sharing.
We had shisleek (meat cooked over a fire on skewers) and all kinds of salads. There was no reason to go home hungry. It was all very tasty! :) Shannon made her amazing potato salad and fortunately we were able to bring a little bit home. One of the students told me when I went to get more of the potato salad that it was "yummy and very tasty." I totally agree with him as Shannon's potato salad has always been a hit wherever we are.
Before we ate and after, we played some games. The students have a volleyball and just try to keep it in the air as they form a circle. We also played "corn hole" which is a neat game with bean bags. It was a little challenging at times with a cross wind that would take your bag off target.
After we ate, I also had the opportunity to share again from 1 Peter 1:3-4 with the students and staff. I spoke more of the living hope that we have in Jesus who gives us the power to see our lives change when Jesus becomes real to us. I shared about how God took my messed up life 34 years ago and began to bring victory. I shared how God saved our marriage, set me free from a hot temper, a vile mouth and an even worse thought life (this was largely what was destroying our marriage). I know that what God has accomplished in my life, He is also able to do for others!
Easter is "our day" as followers of Jesus! Without the resurrection, we don't have a faith of substance, but because of Jesus' victory, we HAVE an amazing HOPE both now and in the future. We have an amazing inheritance that begins both NOW and will culminate in eternity in the Presence of God! We are so blessed to have a Saviour like Jesus!
Our Easter Sunday began with attending an Easter Sunrise Service along the Dnieper River in Dnipro where we joined with another EFCC church. Nineteen of us gathered that morning to read Scriptures (Matthew 26-28), sing some songs and share God's Word.
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| Singing songs |
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| Sharing at the Sunrise service |
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| A group picture |
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| Looking across the Dnieper River |
On Friday, Pastor Andrey had asked if I would be willing to share a short message. Pastor Andrey interpreted for me yesterday and it was a privilege to share from God's Word and remember what Jesus accomplished for us almost 2000 years ago. I was able to share from 1 Peter 1:3-4 where it talks about us having a 'living hope' and an 'inheritance' that are directly tied to Jesus' life, death and resurrection. If Jesus didn't rise from the dead, we are without hope today, but because He LIVES, we have a 'living hope' that can and will transform our lives today. We also have an inheritance that begins now and will be fully realized when we step into eternity to spend forever with God.
Even today, knowing Whose we are and what we have in God's eyes is amazing when we have experienced His salvation! We are adopted by God to be His sons and daughters; we are co-heirs with Jesus Christ which is absolutely amazing! We have been called to be co-workers with God and serve as His ambassadors to share His amazing Gospel with those who long to know that purpose of life! And there is so much more to give us a richness of life that is second to none!
From the Sunrise service, we then had a regular service at 10:30 am that focused on Jesus and His resurrection and what that means for us today. A highlight for us was having the kids come and sing to us near the end of the service and it was in ENGLISH! That was amazing! The guy who often interprets for us, leaned ahead to tell us what they kids were singing! We just smiled at each other!
 |
| Being introduced before they sing |
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| Kids singing |
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| Singing with actions |
From the service, we stopped to pick up a few a groceries, then we were on our way home. We were getting together with all the students for a picnic, some games and a time of sharing.
We had shisleek (meat cooked over a fire on skewers) and all kinds of salads. There was no reason to go home hungry. It was all very tasty! :) Shannon made her amazing potato salad and fortunately we were able to bring a little bit home. One of the students told me when I went to get more of the potato salad that it was "yummy and very tasty." I totally agree with him as Shannon's potato salad has always been a hit wherever we are.
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| Cooking shisleek |
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| Vovo, Yana, and Nicholia |
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| Digging into the food |
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| Kolia |
Before we ate and after, we played some games. The students have a volleyball and just try to keep it in the air as they form a circle. We also played "corn hole" which is a neat game with bean bags. It was a little challenging at times with a cross wind that would take your bag off target.
 |
| Playing corn-hole |
 |
| Playing volleyball |
After we ate, I also had the opportunity to share again from 1 Peter 1:3-4 with the students and staff. I spoke more of the living hope that we have in Jesus who gives us the power to see our lives change when Jesus becomes real to us. I shared about how God took my messed up life 34 years ago and began to bring victory. I shared how God saved our marriage, set me free from a hot temper, a vile mouth and an even worse thought life (this was largely what was destroying our marriage). I know that what God has accomplished in my life, He is also able to do for others!
Easter is "our day" as followers of Jesus! Without the resurrection, we don't have a faith of substance, but because of Jesus' victory, we HAVE an amazing HOPE both now and in the future. We have an amazing inheritance that begins both NOW and will culminate in eternity in the Presence of God! We are so blessed to have a Saviour like Jesus!
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