Telling the Easter Story

When walking through the doors of Whitehouse Presbyterian Church during this Easter season, visitors encounter a depiction of Palm Sunday, complete with a donkey, palm branches and the words "Hopes and Dreams."  This display, which is set up in the foyer of the church, is one of six displays set up around the church which recreate the Easter story.  The stations are set up for the two weeks leading up to Easter in order to give people a chance to remember the last days of Jesus' life on Earth. 

From the Palm Sunday display, you are invited to move along to the next display which is titled "The Servant King."  It is complete with a wash basin, towels and sandals in order to remind us of the humbling and serving attitude that Christ had for his disciples and those in his presence. 

From the washing of the feet, you then proceed upstairs to the upper lounge where the Last Supper is set up.  On the table is a jug of wine, matzo bread, figs, grapes, olive oil and honey and the words "Remember Me."  At this display we are reminded of the last supper that Jesus shared with His disciples and of His instruction to eat of the bread and drink of the cup in remembrance of Him. 

After viewing the depiction of the Last Supper, you are invited to move to the display of the Garden of Gethsemane.  Here you see the word "Alone," which speaks to how Jesus felt when anticipating his arrest and crucifixion. 

From the garden, you then move into the vestibule of the church where the crucifixion is depicted.  A cross sits in the corner of the entry, decorated with a crown of thorns, a drapery of red ribbon, dice and robes, and a sponge with vinegar.

The last display of the Easter story is set up in the sanctuary, and it depicts Christ's Resurrection.  There is tomb, decorated with flowers and a butterfly, with a stone rolled away from the opening.  It is a great portrayal of the promise of new life which was given to us through Jesus Christ. 

A lot, and I mean A LOT, of work was put into setting up the portrayal of the Easter story.  Two women of the church, along with the caretaker, put hours of hard work into assembling and decorating all aspects of the displays.  This hard work is well worth it, though, because the six depictions are set up for the enjoyment of members of the church and community, but are also set up as part of an outreach to schools in the local area.  Over the course of this week, almost 150 students (aged 8-10) will visit Whitehouse Presbyterian to listen to and see the Easter story.

On Monday and Tuesday I was able to be a part of the school outreach.  Each morning, students came to the church and were split into two groups.  One group went around the six stations and heard the Easter story, while the other group stayed in the church hall to create fun Easter crafts.  The groups then came together for a cup of juice and a biscuit and switched activities.   I went around the stations with the groups and helped to tell the Easter story.  Getting to see the depictions of the parts of the story really helped to engage the students.  It was great to see the attentiveness and enthusiasm of the children.

Items handed out to the children at the stations - palm cross,
red ribbon from crucifixion & Easter eggs as a sign of new life

Easter crafts