"There is but one (day), and that one ever"

photos by Margie Vlasits

Our Family of Hope House Church celebrated its annual Easter sunrise service yesterday at the securely locked entrance of the once public Massanutten Caverns.

This was followed by celebrative singing together and an Easter brunch in the former Caverns Lodge, with the meal prepared by hosts Guy and Margie Vlasits, members of our church who operate the Old Massanutten Lodge Bed and Breakfast there. 

George Herbert, one of my favorite English poets, wrote this in 1633:

EASTER Rise heart; your Lord is risen. Sing his praise                                         Without delays, Who takes you by the hand, that you likewise                                         With him may rise: That, as his death fire burnt you to dust, His life may make you gold, and much more, just.       Awake, my lute, and struggle for they part                                         With all your art. The cross taught all wood to resound his name,                                         Who bore the same. His stretched sinews taught all strings, what key Is best to celebrate this most high day.       Consort both heart and lute, and twist a song                                         Pleasant and long: Or, since all music is but three parts vied                                         And multiplied, O let your blessed Spirit bear a part, And make up our defects with his sweet art.       I got me flowers to strew your way;  I got me boughs off many a tree: But you were up by break of day, And brought your sweets along with thee.       The Sun arising in the East, Though he give light, & th' East perfume; If they should offer to contest With your arising, they presume.       Can there be any day but this, Though many suns to shine endeavor? We count three hundred, but we miss: There is but one, and that one ever. For locations of our house church meetings and other information about Family of Hope, see http://familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com/.