Saturday, April 15, 2017

EASTER SUNDAY PREPARATIONS

EASTER SUNDAY PREPARATIONS As children, the night before Easter was a most festive time. Boiling and coloring eggs, making Easter baskets or bags for distribution in our church, St. Matthews C.M.E. Church, near St. Louis, Missouri. There were "parts" to be perfected; that is, our personal speaking parts for the Sunday afternoon church program that was as much a test, as it was a testimony for kids and families. And you'd better know it! There were clothes to be tried on: shoes to be shined, shirts ironed, suits and ties to be laid out. Easter Sunday meant getting clean from head to toe; hats were "de rigeur!" This is Ole School, I know. It's the only and best one, I know! Years ago, a young man walked to the front of the church, one afternoon. He looked around, slowly studying the audience. Then loudly said: "What are you looking at me so hard for? (Pause) I did not come to stay. I just came to wish you all, a very 'HAPPY HAPPY EASTER DAY!" The church rolled with gleeful joy!