From sorrow to jubilation: Easter at Grace Lutheran

DRUMHELLER, Alta. – Holy Week at Grace Lutheran Church included a dramatic Good Friday service that involved the “burning” of sins. An Easter sunrise service at the site of Drumheller’s annual Passion Play concluded the week  joyously.

Good Friday worshippers nailed their sins to a cross.

On Good Friday the congregation gathered for a sombre time of worship during which Rev. Curtis Boehm gave everyone a nail and a slip of paper to write down sins that were burdening them. Then, members nailed their sins to the cross—an emotional moment. Following the service Rev. Boehm led everyone into the parking lot, where the sins were burned—another very emotional time for each person.

On Easter, as the sun rose behind the crosses at the Passion Play site and doves cooed, people began arriving for Sunrise Service. Soon 200 voices filled the valley with music as a beautiful sunny morning dawned. Afterward, congregation members served Easter breakfast for 100-plus at the church—followed by “Jesus is Alive—Alleluia” service, a wonderful way to celebrate the Resurrection together.

by Rosalie Nimmo

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