In the Glow of Easter

The week after Easter has been a very busy one.  It has been full of meetings and 'things to do,' but it has also been full of meaningful interactions with people.  And the glow of Easter has permeated it all.

My second Easter as pastor of this amazing church was spectacular.  It captured the joy of the resurrection in a powerful way.  The sanctuary was packed a with long-time members and first-time visitors.  The music was inspiring and the liturgical dance was worshipful.  As always, the children (60 of them!) were excited and full of life.

During the week I met with families who have lost a loved one and finalized preparations for a memorial service on Saturday for Michael Sullivan.  It was a comfort to me to do that pastoral work having just been reminded of the power of Easter.  Death, though it is a painful experience for those left behind, simply does not have the final word.  There is life beyond death.  There is more to this life than what we see and experience in our mortal bodies.  We may not understand it all, but we believe it!  And that Easter service renewed my faith--I hope it did yours as well.

See you in church,

Pastor Dale

Children's Time 

Jenna's liturgical dance

Kids, Kids and More Kids

Rehearsing for Palm Sunday 

Agelikids climbing the backyard

Baby Shower for Hyunjoo Ki

Welcome baby Charlie Mignone!

Sunday was another great day at PCMK.  It was Palm Sunday and what would Palm Sunday be without children?  We are blessed to have so many.  The children's choir processed up the center aisle, flanked by the adult choir on the sides (the kids waved their palm branches a little more enthusiastically than the adults!).  Then they sang a lively Hosanna which got the whole congregation involved with the waving of our branches.  Worship then moved from the joy of Palm Sunday to the sober reflection of the week that is to come.  We ended worship with "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross."

After worship the Angelikids Choir and their parents came to the manse for a baby shower for the choir's volunteer accompanist, Hyunjoo Ki, who is expecting her third baby at the end of the month.  It was a beautiful day so we could be out on the deck grilling hot dogs and pretending it was summer.  The kids had a great time watching Hyunjoo open gifts and then we all had cake.

And here's the best news of all.  While we were holding a baby shower for the Ki family, Charlie Mignone decided to make his arrival.  Paul and Jessie are now the proud parents of two beautiful children.  Celeste has made herself at home at PCMK and now she will have to show Charlie the ropes.  We hope that includes joining the Angelikids choir in a few years!  Palm Sundays of the future are waiting for more kids to wave palms and sing, Hosanna!

See you in church,
Pastor Dale