Favorite hymns & songs to celebrate Easter Sunday

By Leo Udtohan 

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. 

“Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.” - Psalm 96:1-2

For Christians, the first witnesses to the reality of the empty tomb were women. 

Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James started early because they wanted time to cherish the memory of Jesus, who had died two days earlier.

Their journey to the tomb was motivated by love and faith they had in Jesus. 

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here..." 

Eyewitness testimony of the resurrection is the basis of faith in Jesus as Christ. 

Among Jesus' disciples, there were 500 other witnesses. And the Jewish Law of Moses required at least two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6).

God made his risen Son known first to women, and only later to the Apostles.

Women were given the honor of passing on the best news ever transmitted—Jesus is alive!!! 

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What better way to honor the sacrifice Jesus made, and celebrate the hope He offered to mankind through His sacrifice, than with songs of praise and love!

Because He 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 a living just because He lives

Oh Happy Day

Oh happy day (Oh happy day)

When Jesus washed (When Jesus washed)

Oh when he washed (When Jesus washed)

When Jesus washed (When Jesus washed)

He washed my sins away (Oh happy day)

Oh happy day (Oh happy day)

Washed by the Blood of the Lamb

We are washed by the blood of the Son on the cross

We are washed by the blood of the Lamb

All our guilt, all our shame

Were his wounds and his pain

We are washed by the blood of the Lamb

How Great Thou Art

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God

Born of his Spirit, washed in His blood. 

This is my story, this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long

This is my story, this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long

Christ Is Risen! Hallelujah!

Christ is risen! Hallelujah!

Risen our victorious Head!

Sing His praises! Hallelujah!

Christ is risen from the dead.

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Passover seder 

Jews observe Passover (Pesach) around the same time as Holy Week and Easter. 

Passover begins this year on the evening of Friday, April 15, and ends on the evening of Saturday, April 23.

It retells and celebrates the story of the Israelites being freed from slavery in Egypt. It is a favorite holiday. At its heart is the seder, a special dinner with intricate ritual and meal filled with songs. 

I thank my sister Arlene who baked unleavened bread for our seder. My other sister, Rowena, also made kosher lumpia and spaghetti. 

This year's first seder night was joined by my nephews, nieces and cousins. 

And we said these prayers: 

Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.

Blessed are You, G-d, our G-d, King of the universe, who, in His goodness, feeds the whole world with grace, with kindness and with mercy. Because His loving-kindness is infinite. 

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.

 

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.

And this week is holy to both Jews and Christians—the celebration of Passover, for Jews, which started Saturday evening, and of Holy Week (Passion Week) , the commemoration of Jesus’ death and resurrection, which started on Sunday, Palm Sunday.

For Christians, the week allows the faithful to commemorate the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This is a week to prepare for Easter Sunday, which is the most important Christian holiday, because it is through Christ’s sacrifice that humanity became reconciled with G-d. 

Passover tells the story of the persecution of the Jewish people and their exodus from Egypt. It is observed for seven or eight days and marked with two ceremonial diners, known as seders, and it is a time to acknowledge the suffering of others, as well as, celebrate freedom.

Jewish people across the world refrain from eating bread and other leavened food for eight days – instead eating unleavened bread (matzo) and bitter herbs at home called a Seder (which means “order” in Hebrew) is celebrated around a dinner table.

This time though, even as many of us are still deeply affected by the coronavirus disease, we thank G-d that vaccines are rolling out, and we finally see hope that this crisis will soon “pass over” us. 

Let us be thankful to G-d for for His blessings. 

I wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy Passover!

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Last week, I'd received notification from Katrina Tuñacao, the assigned contact tracer, that I am tested negative for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

I entered self-isolation on March 15 after I learned that I was exposed to friends (at least three of them) who contracted the virus. 

For peace of mind, I decided to proceed with the COVID-19 test out of care and caution for my family and the community. 

I am very grateful to all of you who have kept me in your prayers or who have sent me well wishes and notes of encouragement. 

Our special thanks to Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan (the host of popular "The Doctor Is In" , the only public health program in Bohol) for checking my health and other mediamen who were potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19.  Thanks also to Reichyl Dumaluan-Vallente for the rice ayuda for us. 

I ask for your continued prayers for those who have died from this virus and for those who remain in self-isolation because of it. 

We pray for our health workers and first responders who dedicate their lives every day to fighting for our lives, even while putting their own at risk. 

My heart is filled with joy because G-d has given me another chance to choose life as I am able to celebrate the Passover Seder.. 

The Torah (Pentateuch or Five Books of Moses) repeatedly reminds us that human life is precious and a gift from G-d. In this pandemic, we stand together and are reminded to choose life.  

Rock of Ages and Source of Life, 

Bring an end to disease and suffering,

So that all may know

Your compassion and Your grace.

Praised are You, G-d, healer of flesh, maker of wonders.

G-d is good all the time! Baruch HaShem Adonai!

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.