AtomHE IS RISEN…Holy Hilarity Sunday is a new way to celebrate at First Lutheran
HE IS RISEN!! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!
And with these words, we will greet one another on Easter morning…after we journey through the Holiness of Holy Week!! I encourage all of God’s People to be sure to prepare themselves for the Easter Resurrection Celebration by journeying with Jesus to the cross...through the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services.
AND THEN…with Holy Week ending…we re-gather on Easter morning to greet one another with the only words of Hope that bring the promise of Abundant Life today and Life with Christ for all eternity….HE IS RISEN!! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!
And then what??
This year, the “AND THEN WHAT” begins with the re-gathering of God’s people in Worship on April 11th to celebrate HOLY HILARITY SUNDAY…a new way to celebrate the resurrection this year at First Lutheran.
HOLY HILARITY SUNDAY is an ancient Christian tradition of celebrating the resurrection with humor and lightheartedness…because, theologically speaking…the resurrection can be viewed as God’s great joke on the devil. You see, the devil thought he’d won: Christ had been crucified and was now dead in the tomb. Then, three days later – ha ha ha – Christ is Risen!!
Our HOLY HILARITY planning team is having a great time getting ready for this continuation of the celebration of Easter…and we invite you to make your plans now also. What can you do to prepare?
Look up all the verses in the scriptures that speak of the power of laughter in our lives. Start with Proverbs 17:22 – “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones”.
Plan out what “Holy Hilarity” outfit you want to wear…what silly hat, or mis-matched shoes, or clashing outfit, or, check out Bob Wood, who prepared an outfit with two sets of hands because, as he suggests with tongue in cheek) 4 hands gives his prayers double power (check out http://www.laughinglutherans.com).
Plan out what you want to bring to the Holy Hilarity potluck/celebration taking place from 12:00 to 1:30 on Holy Hilarity Sunday.
Find your favorite Easter stories and send them to me via email: , and maybe we can work them into the potluck Holy Hilarity celebration.
Take a look at http://www.reverendfun.com for even more ideas and times of laughter!!
We’re getting ready to celebrate – HE IS RISEN!! HE IS RISEN INDEED!! May the Easter resurrections celebrations begin!!
Blessings to all,
Pastor Dave
P.S. Did you hear the one about???
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holy hilarity sunday. this was the best idea for a GREAT change from the regular after Easter service. i have never thought of it being the best joke ever played, meaning that God brought Jesus back from death being a great joke on the devil. it’s absolutely true, but i have never heard it said that way before. i love to laugh and make people laugh. the past few weeks have been stressful for me and this was the perfect anctidote. a great BIG thank you to all the snow birds. and even more so, a great BIG THANK YOU to both the minister, all the staff and all others who helped put this together and for being brave enough to do something new like this.