DYING TO RISE AGAIN

our community is getting ready for holy week and easter upcoming. as a young mission community, we still have not done a full holy week triduum (the three days - holy thursday, good friday and easter vigil) ourselves. a few years ago we started with the VIGIL OF EASTER. this year we are adding a HOLY THURSDAY alt. worship (march 24th, 7 pm at our living:room cafe). on holy thursday we remember the institution of the lord's supper and do the washing (in our case the soaking) of feet, the symbol jesus used to show his disciples their servant posture (how to carry themselves in the world in his name).

For GOOD FRIDAY we are crossing over the 520 bridge to worship with one of our 'mother' churches, st. thomas, episcopal, medina, wa.

then we will throw our easter vigil (sat march 26th, 8pm-1am) called 'RISE'. - rise it is not a 'worship service' in the trad./modern church sense (no sermons, bulletins, hymns, coffee hour, linear progression...) but a what we call a 'worship party,' a bash in honor of the risen Christ, open to saints and sinners, believers and non-believers and anyone from the 'highways and byways.' we don't throw this party to congratulate ourselves because we believe in Christ, but to give thanks to God because Christ believes in us, first loved us, gave up life for us, and rose to invite us all to become his friends and live his reign.

to the left is a *click on* picture of the RISE venue, the lofi club and performance gallery in seattle.

at worship parties we don't begin with a church service and add in cultural elements. but throw a real party at which Christ hosts, apostles tend bar and wait tables, and where anyone off the streets is welcomed to attend.

at this 'mother of all parties' we: pop corks (to tost the resurrection), feast to new life (with holy communion and high carb 'fat things'), toss darts at the devil (to show hell has been crushed), baptize new apostles (to give light to the righteous), installl art, jam to bands, kick back with djs and party beyond 1999. - so if you are in seattle or have any friends in seattle (christian, agnostic, whoever...) come on over or pass on the invite from God to this kingdom party and RISE.