Commentary By The Rev. Belle Mickelson
For The Cordova Times
On this beautiful spring morning, I’m still on a music high—as I get ready to fly back to Cordova after a weekend of music and dancing at the Juneau Folk Festival. It was a wonderful time to see long-time friends—and make new ones as we traded tunes and reached out our hands in new dances.
There were also special moments. My favorite was Saturday night at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. Three hundred people were packed in the old gym there visiting and dancing to the Improbabilities, an old-time band from Homer. Caroline Oakley from Portland was calling. It was really noisy as people not only danced, but visited and caught up with each other. As we began the last dance, Caroline told us about a friend that was sick. She wanted to dedicate the dance to him – and asked for a moment of silence – for prayers to send out to him. And we did it! All those people were suddenly quiet – and we felt the power of that moment.
These are very anxious times. But prayer—and helping others is something we can all do together.
“My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 56:7b Prayer changes us to be people filled with love and energy, confidence and peace… People that help and learn from others… People that care for each other deeply… People that work together for creative solutions to everyday—as well as world problems.
I’m looking forward to this spring as a time to be together – to eat together, pray together, and wait anxiously in the Christian tradition to hear on Easter morning that “Jesus is alive, He is risen!” And to experience Jesus’ words of comfort “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
It’s a sign for all of us in all of our traditions to start a new life, new beginnings—that lead to peace and love in our hearts. Join us in praying and working together to help others here in Cordova and around the world!
The Rev. Belle Mickelson is Rector of St. George’s Episcopal and director of Dancing with the Spirit, a program that teaches guitar and fiddle in the villages. www.dancingwiththespirit.org
Message from The Salvation Army
The Savior Has Risen Indeed! This Easter should be known as the possibility, the possibility that we get to know Jesus Christ. When all things are possible, we get to experience a change in our heart, and an inner peace that can only come through Him. So this Easter, let it be the inner most possibility to see Jesus Christ.
— Lt. Antonio Romero
The Salvation Army Cordova Outpost
Empty Tomb Empty Pews
Easter, like Christmas, is one of those special religious holidays. As a pastor it would be dishonest if I said I did not notice those who frequent the church only on these special days. Too often Easter is only about bunnies and eggs. For many it has become just one of the few days the “empty tomb” sparks their conscience. If we reflect on the “empty tomb” only once a year are we doing a disservice to what we profess? The implication of a risen Jesus is mindboggling. In my opinion it is the single greatest event in history. It validated all that Jesus said and did. There are “empty pews” every Sunday reserved for those who perhaps, sometime during the week, have a thought about the “empty tomb.” For those who belong to a local healthy well-balanced church the “empty tomb” is at the heart of everything they do. Without it the Christian message is an “empty pew.”
Blessings
—Pastor Steve Leppert
Cordova Church of the Nazarene
Easter Services
St. George’s Holy Week Services
- Good Friday April 14, 6 p.m.: Bluegrass Gospel Music and Prayers followed by Meditation by Candlelight
- Easter Sunday, April 16, 10:30 a.m.: Vigil of Light, Eucharist, Sermon by the Rev. Belle Mickelson. Egg Hunt and Brunch afterward at the Red Dragon.
Russian Orthodox Midnight Service 11:30 p.m. Saturday
All community services 6:45 a.m. Sunrise Service at the gazebo near 10-mile and 8 a.m. at the Little Chapel
Regular scheduled services at each church to follow:
- Church of Jesus Christ of LDS 9 a.m.
- St. Joseph’s Catholic 10 a.m.
- St. George’s 10:30 a.m.
- Cordova Church of the Nazarene 11 a.m.
- Little Chapel 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- Cordova Community Baptist Church 11 a.m.
