For Christians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the assurance
that God can overcome every fear we have, including death itself. The
risen Christ at God the Father of All Mankind in Inabanga town, Bohol. |
Sunday, April 17, 2022
Favorite hymns & songs to celebrate Easter Sunday
Saturday, April 3, 2021
Easter & Passover: Faith never fails
This weekend, people celebrate the Christian holiday of Easter. Others
observe the Jewish holiday of Passover. And in America, many are looking
to the arrival of spring. Contributed Photos |
This weekend, Christians and Jews are observing the holidays of Easter, the resurrection of Christ following his crucifixion, and Passover, the redemption of the Jewish people from their slavery in Egypt.
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Celebrating Passover, Holy Week, in time of pandemic
Your VRS celebrating Passover, one of the most important festivals in the Jewish calendar. In Seder, the ritual dinner consists of storytelling, prayers, and symbolic food items. |
It's hard to believe that after an entire year of uncertainty, Passover (Pesach) has once again arrived.
Friday, April 10, 2020
Passover traditions change as the coronavirus spreads
Your VRS observing the Passover in Bohol, Philippines amid the pandemic/ |
While the original Passover took place over 3,000 years ago, its story is just as relevant today as it was back then. It is a testament to Israel’s survival of the Ten Plagues and the Exodus from Egypt.
Since the pandemic is affecting all of us, we are encouraged to spend more time at home to be saved. It is also a great opportunity to remember the Passover and G-d's everlasting love for those who believed in Him either Jew or Gentile.
We hope and pray that every person in need of healing be healed, and all the other burdens be removed, and we wish for a healthy, liberating and kosher Passover!
While times are trying now, this too shall pass! Great is Thy Faithfulness!
The Passover Seder continues despite the pandemic. |
* * *
Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.
Easter Sunday in the age of coronavirus
Easter is a time of great celebration for anyone, but churches have largely canceled their Easter Sunday celebrations or moved masses online due to the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Leo Udtohan |
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has changed the landscape for all of us and continues to evolve.
This year, it prevents us from gathering Sunday for church services including the Easter. But still the message is the same: Christ is risen from the dead. We are one with Him again.
Easter is about victory --and we hope we become victorious in arresting the virus.
What better way to honor the sacrifice Jesus made, and celebrate the hope He offered to us through His sacrifice, than with songs of praise and love!
Your VRS has 4 favorite Easter songs and hymns. You can read alongside the Psalms and the Gospels "to feel" the spirit of the Easter. Many streaming Easter services will lack choirs. But if you yearn for uplifting religious music it’s easy to access.
Jesus took the sting for us so that we wouldn’t have too, so join with me in singing, “Hallelujah!”
1. Amazing Grace. A beautiful hymn written by John Newton in 1779.
Amazing grace!
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see
T'was Grace that taught my
heart to fear
And Grace, my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
Through many dangers, toils
and snares
We have already come.
T'was grace that brought us safe thus far
And grace will lead us home.
2. Because He Lives. It is not just popular around Easter or on Resurrection Sunday but all year long because the lyrics are timeless truth that comforts the believers.
God sent His son, they called
Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives
Because He lives, I can face
tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives.
Easter is a time of
great celebration for anyone, but churches have largely canceled their Easter
Sunday celebrations or moved masses online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Photo by Leo Udtohan
3. Christ the Lord is Risen Today. The hymn perfectly fits the Easter Gospel of the Lord's resurrection.
Christ the Lord is ris’n
today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth reply, Alleluia!
4. My Redeemer Lives. This brings us to the cross and to the grave, and the one is found empty because the Redeemer lives.
I know He rescued my soul
His blood has covered my sin
I believe, I believe
My shame He's taken away
My pain is healed in His name
I believe, I believe
I'll raise a banner
My Lord Has conquered the grave
My redeemer lives
My redeemer lives
My redeemer lives
My redeemer lives
4. I Serve a Risen Savior. The miraculous lesson of Easter is that through Jesus' death on the Cross, we have been granted a second chance—permission to leave our old lives behind and stand before the pristine, unmarred canvas of a new day, with all its potential for joy and choices that honor God.
I serve a risen Savior,
He's in the world today;
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy,
I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him
He's always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and He talks with me
Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He live, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives:
He lives within my heart.
***
Passover traditions change
as the coronavirus spreads
While the original Passover took place over 3,000 years ago, its story is just as relevant today as it was back then. It is a testament to Israel’s survival of the Ten Plagues and the Exodus from Egypt.
Since the pandemic is affecting all of us, we are encouraged to spend more time at home to be saved. It is also a great opportunity to remember the Passover and G-d's everlasting love for those who believed in Him either Jew or Gentile. .
We hope and pray that every person in need of healing be healed, and all the other burdens be removed, and we wish for a healthy, liberating and kosher Passover!
While times are trying now, this too shall pass! Great is Thy Faithfulness!
* * *
Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.