I harbor a particular mental image of Easter. It’s a combination of Bible history, youth fellowship and nature experience. In Norway, Easter vacation is almost one and a half weeks long. For several years, I spent part of that time at Bible camps up in the mountains. We had skiing, often in the most wonderful winter weather. There was bright sun in a blue sky, hot chocolate and fresh oranges on the sunny side of the timber cabins. In the morning Bible studies, we followed Christ on his way to the cross. And in the evening, we celebrated communion at the nearby church. A special tradition on Easter Day would be to get up on the highest mountain to see the sunrise over the endless snow-covered mountains. Then we would sing the Easter hymns about Christ who rose from the dead.

Easter in Minneapolis will be different. Hopefully, birds will be singing and the air will be sweet with the scent of flowers blooming. At Mindekirken, we will celebrate Palm Sunday with a procession of waving palms and songs. The Seder meal will take place on Holy Thursday. As the old people of God were freed out of slavery, we are set free through the meal Jesus provides for us. On Good Friday, we’ll listen to Jesus’ seven words on the cross. The big cross in the church (our former Christmas tree) will be draped with a black cloth, and on the altar, five red roses will remind us of the wounds of Jesus.

Easter morning comes with a breakfast, then the great celebration of hope and new life through the resurrection of Christ. Flowers will decorate the church, and we hope you’ll meet us there that morning.