The Christian Homekeeper™

Its been a long while since I felt I really accomplished what I needed to accomplish. Today was a good day in that respect. I got several cds listened to, some music picked out for Palm Sunday, Easter and the upcoming weeks, a good meal cooked, school done and a few housecleaning chores done.

I’m on my yearly quest for Palm Sunday/Easter ideas. I would like to have our Living Last Supper again. Everyone loves it, it is so worshipful and meaningful. What’s holding me back? The fact that we just don’t have many men at church who participate on a regular basis. There are those who could be pulled in, and I have been working on it, but I get excuses from “I don’t want to wear a dress” to “I don’t want to go barefooted” when I bring up the Living Last Supper thing. As far as I’m concerned they may as well say, “I’m out of peanut butter.”  LOL!  There are those who come and don’t make excuses.  Thank  God for men like that. Our last one was superb. Amazing. I know it would be good again. hmmmm…..

On Palm Sunday we have done several things in the past few years. I try to involve the whole congregation. The personality of our congregation is sweet, but very afraid of what others think. They don’t want to do anything different. But we have managed to pull them out of that shell a little at a time, reassuring them that it is OK to smile, laugh, clap and raise your hands at church if you want to. We’ve managed to convince them that its also OK to express one’s praise in ways other than singing or listening…. though they don’t really. They don’t mind if someone in the service does, but they don’t do it very often, only a few individuals will do so. But I feel like any minute every one is ready to run and hide back in that shell. They just want to observe instead of participate.

So Palm Sunday is a day when I can pull people into the service more than other Sundays. Last year we had a giant cross in the center of the platform. When you entered the sanctuary, you couldn’t help but notice it and it gave one a sense of awe, it helped bring about a contemplative attitude. The children paraded in with palm leaves, we sang some upbeat songs and then the service took that contemplative turn.

We turned down the lights and had some readings done about the things that were at the foot of the cross as people in the congregation laid those items at the foot of the huge cross. We sang some songs, listened to a solo… I’ll close with the lyrics. Its a favorite of mine and one that always inspires. I am praying that the Lord will inspire me again this year with services that honor and delight Him.

At The Foot Of The Cross

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received
And You’ve won my heart
Yes You’ve won my heart
Now I can
Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death You bore for me
And You’ve won my heart
Yes You’ve won my heart
Now I can
Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

I’m laying every burden down
I’m laying every burden down

Music and lyrics by Kathryn Scott
© 2003 Vertical Worship Songs