Three of us stood at the back of the sanctuary, waiting. The first service had seemed incomplete...insufficient. A key element was missing, so we waited for the opening hymn of the second service.
The sounds of brass, tympani, and voices flowed through the sanctuary and washed over me. Yes! This was what I needed. This was Easter. Christ is risen!
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Charles Wesley
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
"Ours the cross, the grave, the skies..." This is Easter.