Easter Sunday ~ St. Luke's

Easter lilies are traditional in church on Easter Sunday mornings - but, orange Gerber daisies? And yet, there they were - mixed with the Resurrection lilies - celebrating the message of life. Orange Gerber daisies were Odessa's favorite flower.

I was waiting expectantly for Sunday morning since the Maundy Thursday service. Thankfully, the depth of grief and loss that I experienced that night was disproportionate to the overwhelming celebration I experienced on this glorious morning.

Organ and strings, a packed church, candles, flowers, "Benedictus" by Mozart - sung by a quartet, "How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place" by Brahms - sung by the choir, the readings and prayers, a baby baptism, the message, and the Eucharist.

Such relief and joy to know, Jesus is no longer dead. He is risen! He is alive! Though He had left us for a short time, which seemed like eternity, He is back, never to leave again!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

(iPhone photos taken at St. Luke's this morning. Edit: sharpened slightly, exposure increased slightly)