The OPC Easter tradition continues. Yesterday, during the first hymn of the Easter worship service, people came to the front of the sanctuary. An ugly, wooden cross was their destination. 

The cross, covered in chicken wire. represented was a symbol of Jesus' death. The congregants covered the cross with fresh flowers. 

So many people crowded around the cross that it was blocked from view. But when everyone returned to their seats, the cross was transformed.

It was covered in fresh flowers of all different colors and hues. It was now a thing of beauty and life.

The perfect symbol for Jesus' resurrection. As this tradition has been at OPC for decades.

The Flowering of the Cross is a beloved Easter tradition here at OPC. It's a simple concept, yet it provides such a powerful witness. 

For the Easter service, a small wooden cross sits next to the communion table. It's two pieces of gnarled wood, crudely nailed together and covered with chicken wire. It's a small ugly reminder of Christ's crucifixion.

They come forward and insert their flowers into the chicken wire. Just a few come forward at first, but soon the pews empty. The cross disappears from view, surrounded by people with flowers. 

And when everyone returns to their seats, the cross has been transformed. It has become a cross of flowers, full of vibrant colors. What was a symbol of death has become a symbol of life -- the new life in Christ.

The world is changing again. This time a year ago we were all under lock down, fearful of what the future would look like. In the past year we have lost loved ones, lost precious time, and learned how to cope. It seems like this past year has been a perpetual Good Friday – living in the reality of death. And yet, we have the promise of Easter. We have the promise of resurrection. As the flowers bloom, the birds sing, and the bunnies hop, we are reminded of new life, of hope. I, like so many of you, have received my vaccination. In fact, I received my second shot on Good Friday. (If you have not received your vaccination yet, I pray that you soon will.)

This truly is a new time. And yet, even on Easter we remember the pain of Good Friday. We remember the pain of death. We remember what has been lost. So, as we enter this time of new beginnings, this time of resurrection, I ask you to reflect on the question: what now? What do we do now, as people of faith? What happens now that we have entered this new time? What does it mean now that we are safer? What now?

We cannot go back, we can only go forward, so what will we do with this gift of newness? How will we embrace this new time? What now?

I pray God’s blessings upon you all as you discover what this newness means for you and for OPC. I pray that when we gather, we will be safe. I pray that we do not forget our time of Good Friday, even as we rejoice in the promise of Easter. 

In Christ, 
​ - Pastor Rebekah