I bet this was a great service!
Celebration
Easter service unity means everything to pastorBy Scheri Smith
ssmith@courier-journal.com
The Courier-JournalRobert and Diane Duncan stepped out of Breckenridge Chapel Free Methodist Church yesterday after its sunrise service with smiles on their faces.
The Duncans, who live in St. Regis Park, were non-members visiting the church to honor its pastor, the Rev. Vince Spencer. Spencer, who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, thought this might be his last Easter service and therefore created a special service that blended many Christian traditions.
Robert Duncan, 59, a retired teacher, said he and his wife wanted to be a part of yesterday’s service. He said that even though he is a Southern Baptist, denominations need to be able to meet under one roof and worship God.
“That’s what Christ taught,” Robert Duncan said. “We are all brothers and sisters.”
Spencer agrees. He took traditions from various branches of Christianity, including Russian Orthodox, and sprinkled them throughout his service. One was a processional around the church by members of the congregation to symbolize the light of the resurrected Christ. The custom was an early practice in the Roman Catholic Church in Europe and in Orthodox churches.
After the congregation walked around the church, Spencer knocked on the front doors three times. Then the doors were opened to symbolize the opening of Christ’s tomb and the Resurrection.
Spencer, 71, said that if this was going to be his last Easter, he wanted it to reflect the unity that Christians should strive for.
“The church is a place where people should be accepted,” he said.
You have those every once and a while my PT guy said. Oh well... - posted on 09/10/2010