Pastor’s Desk
Over the last few months, we have been going over the customs of the seasons. When I discuss Christmas I like to remind people that the Christmas season is 12 days. I always think this puts the church at odds with the rest of the world, because when the world is completely done celebrating Christmas, we still have Sundays after Christmas where we celebrate the holiday. Easter is very similar in this regard, with one caveat. While Christmas is celebrated for 12 days in the church year, Easter is celebrated for 50 days. The Mood of Easter does not end with Easter Sundown. The feast lasts right on until Pentecost! This means that all six Sundays after Easter, along with Ascension belong to the Paschal Feast. The 40 days from Easter to Ascension along with the 10 from Ascension to Pentecost were days of such spiritual excitement that the disciples celebrated them with as much joy as they did Easter. The Fullest account of Ascension appears in the Acts of the Apostles. Here Jesus charges his disciples with proclaiming the Gospel and Promises that he will send his Holy Spirit. Then he ascends into heaven to sit at his Father’s right hand.
One interesting tradition with Ascension is what happened to the Paschal Candle (Sometimes Christ Candle). This candle was seen as Christ’s presence with his People. The candle was solemnly extinguished during the Ascension service. This was to show that Christ would no longer be visibly present with His people, but would instead send the Holy Spirit.
I hope the joy that we have on Easter Sunday does not get extinguished during our 50 days of Easter.
Taken from “The Year of The Lord: The Church Year: Its Customs Growth and Ceremonies. By Theodore Kleinhans. Concordia Publishing, 1967. Pages 77-84.
High School and College Seniors
St. Peter and St. Paul would like to feature our graduates in the June Link. Please
email or drop off a copy of your senior picture with a bio of your high school or
college accomplishments and future plans to the Church Secretary, or email to
stpeterflorida@gmail.com.
A Peek from Preschool
What a busy month we had in April! Our children enjoyed fun activities and guest readers for Week of the Young Child. We explored many activities related to food, music, and art and working together in the classroom. We want to thank all our guest readers and visitors who attended our classroom last month to make it such an amazing time. Our 1st annual Easter Egg Hunt & Storytime also went so well with over 75 children along with their families in participation. A BIG thank you to our church members and board members who helped make this event a success and we look forward to having one again next year. As Spring is upon us, we will begin doing some Spring Cleaning in May/June and plan on holding a Church/Preschool Rummage Sale on Thursday, June 9 with drop-off of donated items on Wednesday, June 8 from 4-6 pm. Church members and Preschool families are invited to donate gently used items in good condition for our Preschool Freewill Donation Rummage Sale. Please contact Emilie Parsons with any information and look for an information flier to be posted in the narthex soon! We look forward to our last month of Preschool and church members are invited to attend our end of year program which will be held on Tuesday, May 24 at 6 pm.
Mrs. Arce
