Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
Easter seems to be a happy holiday that involves kids getting out of school, families planning vacations and churches coming alive with events, as well as fun Easter egg hunts for the kids.
This year, The Craig Valley Baptist Church and Grace Baptist Church joined forces and had their annual service at Grace Baptist.
The large fellowship hall was elaborately decorated in purple to represent the royalty of the Lord Jesus Christ that the Easter weekend is all about.
Each table was carefully decorated with biblical meanings, along with four cups at each chair and a cup with unleavened bread.
The church did not forget the kids as they had two tables set up for each child to receive a toy and to fill up a small bag with Easter candies. A few adults visited the table to get a piece during the evening as well.
Tables were lined up and ladened with food set for a king. Additional tables had a vast array of desserts to choose from as well.
There was singing and music led by Rick Francisco and the speaker, Pastor Randy Spencer from Liberty University taught about Passover and the meaning of the four cups and the matzah bread.
He also shared about the Passover Seder meal that is a Jewish tradition and what the elements stood for.
Jewish tradition includes the Passover meal, drinking of the four cups of wine, telling stories, eating special foods, singing and other Passover traditions.
Pastor Spencer shared the meaning of the four cups, based on God’s statement and the scripture in Exodus 6: 6-7 that was read by Pastor King.
- The cup of Sanctification – “I will bring you out from under the burden of the Egyptians.”
- The cup of Judgement of Deliverance – “I will deliver you from slavery to them.”
- The cup of Redemption – “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.”
- The cup of Praise or Consummation – “I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God.”
He emphasized that seven times God used the word, “I,” promising all the things that He will do for His children.
Also, noting that he said “you” eight times, caring for his children.
During the second cup, Spencer explained that they also dipped their finger in the cup 10 times, allowing the drop to drop off each time, being in remembrance of the 10 plagues that were put on Pharoah and the Egyptians of, blood, frogs, lice, wild beasts, cattle disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness and the slaying of the firstborn.
It was a reminder of what God had delivered them from.
“We understand what God has promised us to do as well as the responsibility that we have to do to honor God,” Spencer explained.
The churches fulfilled the traditions, even down to the kids having fun, getting toys and candies and playing games.
The food was well received, as compliments filled the air.
The atmosphere and message seemed to bring one’s heart into the special meaning of the holiday of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.
Upon completion, songs were sung, and meals were gathered for those who were unable to attend, as well as taking home a couple things to snack on.
It seemed that hearts were lightened, as the celebration of Jesus the Christ was honored, and a remembrance was done to let Him know how much people care and wanted to be reminded of the true meaning of Easter.