This is a resume of the activities done by San Lucas UMC and the Sunday school program:
Palm Sunday: The Sunday school program at Renacer Camp Center was planned to begin at 3pm that day. Nevertheless, all children arrive before the appointed time. Their happy faces, smiles, kisses and hugs were the best welcome to the teachers. “We were waiting for you,” said one of the girls. “Did you bring the guitar, pastor?” said another one. Surely, they really enjoyed the time together.
Bringing some palm tree branches and singing “¡Miren quien viene!” (“Look Who is Coming!”) – they sang a song, composed by Sunday school teachers at one of our workshops – and presented it that day.
A poster of Jesus, coming into Jerusalem on a donkey, was shown to the children. They immediately asked and answered questions about the experience of Jesus with the people. They knew the lesson and they enjoyed painting, coloring and rehearsing some songs which were related to this special Bible event.
Palm Sunday: The Sunday school program at Renacer Camp Center was planned to begin at 3pm that day. Nevertheless, all children arrive before the appointed time. Their happy faces, smiles, kisses and hugs were the best welcome to the teachers. “We were waiting for you,” said one of the girls. “Did you bring the guitar, pastor?” said another one. Surely, they really enjoyed the time together.
Bringing some palm tree branches and singing “¡Miren quien viene!” (“Look Who is Coming!”) – they sang a song, composed by Sunday school teachers at one of our workshops – and presented it that day.
A poster of Jesus, coming into Jerusalem on a donkey, was shown to the children. They immediately asked and answered questions about the experience of Jesus with the people. They knew the lesson and they enjoyed painting, coloring and rehearsing some songs which were related to this special Bible event.
Special Guest on Holy Wednesday: Ms. Margarita Stockwell, an 82 year old former Methodist missionary who served and worked in Uruguay, was visiting us that day. She has been working on integral health during these past years of her life. Through her experience of faith and spiritual conversion, many people have been blessed. Lutherans, Waldensians, Pentecostals, Catholics and Methodists gathered that day, in an ecumenical program workshop. As a result of that, many people who attended the program found spiritual refreshment to our souls and a new commitment to the Lord.
Holy Thursday: For the first time, since I have served as pastor at San Lucas Methodist UMC, we gathered on Holy Thursday. We had a special “foot- washing ceremony” and then “Holy communion”. A basin, a jar with water, and a towel created the atmosphere for the service. The reading of the scripture of John 3:4-5 gave us the biblical base for the ceremony. Every person took his/her shoes off and I began washing everybody’s feet. All of them expressed their gratitude for being blessed through this experience of service and humbleness. After all, each one of us has been called to serve others, as Jesus did that day.
Holy Friday: We joined the service at the Waldense Evangelical Church. It was an ecumenical service, full of readings that reminded us of the passion of Christ. Those included the “seven words” said by Jesus in the cross.
Holy Saturday: Sunday school teachers dedicated this day to decorate the church. A grave, a banner with the scripture “He Lives”, and some of the children’s drawings were part of the symbolic presentation of Jesus Risen.
Easter Sunday: Showing and explaining the cycle of the butterfly, as a symbol of Jesus’ resurrection; singing “Celebrate Jesus, Celebrate”, and giving chocolate eggs. Children and adults of the church celebrated the main Easter service. Previously, we had had breakfast together. It was a time of fellowship and a good start to this glorious and victorious day. The sun shone that day, and the sky was clear. This showed us, one more time, that Jesus was – and is – ALIVE!
Holy Thursday: For the first time, since I have served as pastor at San Lucas Methodist UMC, we gathered on Holy Thursday. We had a special “foot- washing ceremony” and then “Holy communion”. A basin, a jar with water, and a towel created the atmosphere for the service. The reading of the scripture of John 3:4-5 gave us the biblical base for the ceremony. Every person took his/her shoes off and I began washing everybody’s feet. All of them expressed their gratitude for being blessed through this experience of service and humbleness. After all, each one of us has been called to serve others, as Jesus did that day.
Holy Friday: We joined the service at the Waldense Evangelical Church. It was an ecumenical service, full of readings that reminded us of the passion of Christ. Those included the “seven words” said by Jesus in the cross.
Holy Saturday: Sunday school teachers dedicated this day to decorate the church. A grave, a banner with the scripture “He Lives”, and some of the children’s drawings were part of the symbolic presentation of Jesus Risen.
Easter Sunday: Showing and explaining the cycle of the butterfly, as a symbol of Jesus’ resurrection; singing “Celebrate Jesus, Celebrate”, and giving chocolate eggs. Children and adults of the church celebrated the main Easter service. Previously, we had had breakfast together. It was a time of fellowship and a good start to this glorious and victorious day. The sun shone that day, and the sky was clear. This showed us, one more time, that Jesus was – and is – ALIVE!
