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Easter

God’s Blessings and Easter Miracle Stories

April 20, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Easter Miracle Stories Can Happen

I believe in Gods’ blessings and the Easter miracle stories because I witnessed a personal Easter miracle.

Miracles from Heaven: A Little Girl and Her Amazing Story of Healing

Many of you hear of Easter miracles, stories testimonials and casually dismiss their validity. You may patiently listen, smile, and nod your head. But truly not believe.

I did the same. But no longer. My father was dying in a hospital. The doctors and nurses were saying any minute, any hour. But I witnessed my own miracle on Easter.

All we need to do is believe and have faith. It’s that simple. Christ died for us on Good Friday many years ago and through the miracle of his Resurrection showed how we can have everlasting life.

All we need to do is believe and have faith. It’s that simple. Christ died for us on Good Friday many years ago and through the miracle of his Resurrection showed how we can have everlasting life.

For by Grace you have been saved through faith and it is not your doing, but a Gift from God (Ephesians 2:8).

easter miracle stories

Easter has a special meaning for me and the traditional Easter hymns bring me back to certain times in my life when I have witnessed miracles.

There are true life miracle stories that happen every day. Stories that have no explanation that can only be attributed to the grace of God.

My Easter Miracle Story

In 1995 I received a call from my Mother on Good Friday. Dad was in the hospital and not expected to make it through the weekend.

I immediately flew 1500 miles to Connecticut and we started a 24-hour bedside vigil.

The years of emphysema and COPD had taken a toll, Dad was laying in the hospital bed, nonresponsive and hooked to machines that beeped his life story.

I had the overnight shift on Saturday night and spent the hours repeatedly putting his oxygen mask back on his face, as he kept pulling it down. The nurses came in and asked me what I wanted them to do if he stopped breathing.

They did not expect my Father to live through the night.

I just gave them a stern and outraged look and said, “He can hear you, we aren’t going to talk about it.” You see, my Father had not yet met his brand new granddaughter, who had just been born a few months earlier.

The next morning was Easter, and I left the hospital when I Mom arrived to attend Easter Service at my home church of Grace Episcopal in Broad Brook CT.  Traditional Easter songs have always moved me in ways I can’t explain.

I sat in the back, in one of the Mother rocking chairs with my baby girl, and listened to the traditional Easter hymns in that small church. I prayed, I held my baby girl, rocked her, and wept. The He’s Risen hymn touched my heart and soul and I can’t explain the feeling I felt.

It was a warmth, a radiating “tingle” throughout my entire body that did not cease. I tried to sing, but could not because of the lump in my throat.

Pretty Flower Christian Happy Easter Card
Pretty Flower Christian Happy Easter Card
by ChristianGiftIdea

I prayed for an Easter miracle.

After church, I went anxiously to the hospital. My Dad was sitting up and drinking coffee.

I have no explanation except as an example of the many Easter miracle stories that abound.  Afterward,  I learned he was on seven prayer lists that morning.

Thank you for that Easter miracle and those last few days with my Dad. Christ is Risen indeed, and Jesus gives life.

Add Church Name to Easter Button
Add Church Name to Easter Button
by ChristianGiftIdea

Hymns to Enjoy this Happy Easter

To me, these hymns are Easter. They are my favorite traditional hymns and I look forward to singing Jesus Christ is Risen Today hymn during church every Easter morning. I do have to admit there is always a lump in my throat as I remember sitting in my hometown Episcopal church praying for my Father.

Jesus Christ is Risen Today Hymn

Traditional Easter songs cross over various denominations. The following Christian hymns and music are sung in churches of various denominations including Episcopal, Lutheran and Catholic churches.

Christ the Lord is Risen Today Hymn

My favorite traditional Easter hymn is “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” It reminds me of not only my own Easter miracle story but God’s grace in my life every day.

He’s Risen, He’s Risen Hymn

Another favorite hymn in both the Lutheran and Episcopal church is the He’s Risen Hymn. It’s also one of mine. The majesty of the He’s Risen hymn played by an organ is magnificent and will send a chill through your soul.

Thank you for reading and listening. If you have a favorite Easter Hymn or Easter miracle stories please share them, below.

Remember Easter is not just one day, but all year round. Christ is Risen!  

Have a Happy Easter and look for Easter miracle stories in your life, not just on Easter, but every day.

If you love the traditional Easter songs and are looking for Easter hymns and sheet music for the piano try the music books below.

Lorie Line - The Heritage Collection Volume 6 - Piano Solo PersonalityLorie Line – The Heritage Collection Volume 6 – Piano Solo PersonalityHeritage Collection 2 by Lorie Line (2000-09-29)Heritage Collection 2 by Lorie Line (2000-09-29)Christ Is Risen! - 26 Easter Songs Celebrating the ResurrectionChrist Is Risen! – 26 Easter Songs Celebrating the ResurrectionA Month of Sundays: Easter and Lent (Sacred Performer Collections)A Month of Sundays: Easter and Lent (Sacred Performer Collections)

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Christ, christ the lord, Christian, christianity, church, Easter, Faith, family, God, happy easter, Holiday, Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, memories, miracles, religion, Spring, video

Easter Version of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

April 17, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

New Easter Lyrics to Hallelujah – Kelly Mooney Version

I love Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, my kids have sung it in choir and when I heard the following version by Kelley Mooney written with spiritual and liturgical lyrics I knew I wanted to post the song and video on my blog for the Easter season.

History of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen wrote this song in 1984 and struggled with it for many years with it going through 80 drafts verses before settling on the final edit.

Considering the struggle to write and originally publish the song it has been covered and sung by more than 300 artists and sold more than 5 million copies (source Wikipedia). In 2013 it was sung at Fenway Park to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombings before the Red Sox game.

Lyrics to Hallelujah- Kelly Mooney Easter Version

You may have the music to the original Hallelujah version, but if you would like to substitute the words here are the lyrics to the New Easter lyrics to Hallelujah by Kelly Mooney.

Celebrate Easter with the an Easter Halleluja Cohen version writen for Easter.

Lyrics to An Easter Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen Music

A crown of thorns placed on His head
He knew that He would soon be dead
He said did you forget me Father did you?
They nailed Him to a wooden cross
Soon all the world would feel the loss
Of Christ the King before His Hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Personalized Encouragement Quotes | Bible Verses Keychain
Personalized Encouragement Quotes | Bible Verses Keychain
by ChristianGiftIdea

He hung His head and prepared to die
Then lifted His face up to the sky
Said I am coming home now Father to you
A reed which held His final sip
Was gently lifted to his lips
He drank His last and gave His soul to glory

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

The soldier who had used his sword
To pierce the body of our Lord
Said truly this is Jesus Christ our Savior
He looked with fear upon his sword
Then turned to face his Christ and Lord
Fell to his knees crying HallelujahChoir Sings Hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Bible Study Tools | Proverbs 31 Christian Journal
Bible Study Tools | Proverbs 31 Christian Journal
by ChristianGiftIdea

Took from his head the thorny crown
And wrapped him in a linen gown
And laid him down to rest inside the tomb
The holes in his hands, his feet and side
Now in our hearts we know he died
To save us from ourselves oh hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Three days went by again they came
To move the stone to bless the slain
With oil and spice anointing hallelujah
But as they went to move the stone
They saw that they were not alone
But Jesus Christ has risen Hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Elmwood-Murdock Choir Sings Hallelujah

As you know, or maybe you don’t, I am very proud of our local Elmwood-Murdock school choir. More than 75% of the student body participates in the music program. So enjoy the original version of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. Please excuse the recording and the baby in the background. Enjoy and have a wonderful Easter.

Leonard Cohen Songs and Sheet Music

Essential Leonard CohenCheck PriceHal Leonard Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen arranged for piano, vocal and guitarCheck PriceLeonard Cohen: Hallelujah: A New BiographyCheck Price

 Have a wonderful and Glorius Easter Season! May your family be Blessed each and every day!


Filed Under: Family Tagged With: choir, Christ, Easter, hallelujah by leonard cohen, Popular songs, Religion & Spirituality, singing, song, spiritual, video, YouTube

Glory Laud and Honor, My Favorite Hymn for Palm Sunday

April 13, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Palm Sunday Traditions
Palm Leaf Lapel Pin 2 Inch Latin Cross Pendant Fashion Accessory for Men or WomenPalm Leaf Lapel Pin 2 Inch Latin Cross Pendant Fashion Accessory for Men or Women

Sometimes I think I look forward to Palm Sunday more than Easter. It’s when I get to sing my favorite hymn Glory Laud and Honor.

I have very fond memories of my Godmother and growing up in a small country church in Connecticut. The significance of Palm fronds on Palm Sunday represents Jesus Christ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.

Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week for Christians and the celebration of His coming. This is a marked difference in how Christ was treated just a few days later on Good Friday.

Glory Laud and Honor

Church Traditions on Palm Sunday

At my small country church of Grace Episcopal in Broad Brook Connecticut we would be handed palms.

The whole church would parade around the church waving palms and singing Glory Laud and Honor. The windows in the church would be open and the organ would echo the full refrain in celebration.

My Godmother, Alice Turcotte, would hold my hand and smile at me as if this was the most wonderful moment in her life. She often told me this was her favorite hymn, and it has held a special place in my heart ever since.

Below you can listen and sing along with the words to the traditional hymn All Glory Laud and Honor, YouTube edition. You can believe that’s it’s on my YouTube Hymn Playlist.

All Glory Laud and Honor Lyrics

I get chills whenever I hear All Glory Laud and Honor. It is such a majestic hymn sung is the very popular key of C, which is very easy to sing. I enjoy it all year, not just on Palm Sunday.

All glory, laud, and honor
To You, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the King of Israel
and David’s royal Son,
Now in the Lord’s name coming,
The King and Blessed One.

The company of angels
Is praising You on high;
And we with all creation
In chorus make reply.
The people of the Hebrews
With palms before You went;
Our praise and prayer and anthems
Before You we present.

To You before Your passion
They sang their hymns of praise;
To You, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise.
As You received their praises,
Accept the prayers we bring,
For You delight in goodness,
O good and gracious King!

Lessons from my Godmother

Granny Turcotte was a wonderful person. After her husband died she was a foster parent to over twenty special needs kids and raised a brother and sister with muscular dystrophy from infant to adulthood. The new people and crowds on Easter morning made it difficult to bring Mary and James to Easter service.

The regulars in the congregation knew them, didn’t stare, and thus made Palm Sunday service easier and welcoming. She would often skip Easter service and attend Palm Sunday service as she got older. She celebrated life as if every day were Palm Sunday.  With Shouts of joy and thanksgiving!

Pavilion Mark My Words Godmother Mug 66110Pavilion Mark My Words Godmother Mug 66110Pavilion Gift Company 54004Pavilion Gift Company 54004

She was the epitome of what a Godmother is supposed to be and took her role seriously.

We went to her church where I went to  Sunday school and repeated the lessons to her after church, she helped me learn the Lords Prayer and I recited my confirmation lessons and memory work after church.

She gave me my first Bible and was there when I was confirmed. She died in 1988 and every Palm Sunday when I sing Glory Laud and Honor I get a lump in my throat as I remember her and the impact she had in my life.

Grace Episcopal Church, Broad Brook Connecticut

Grace Episcopal church
Grace Episcopal church in Broad Brook Connecticut

Palm Sunday story kids
Small country church in Broad Brook CT

I have been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Murdock Nebraska for over twenty years. Every morning when I woke the first thing I think of is hearing and singing Glory Laud and Honor.

The tradition at Trinity is to hold the youth confirmation ceremony on Palm Sunday, and how appropriate it is to celebrate the newly confirmed members of the church.

Listen to a Palm Sunday sermon

Sheet Music for Glory Laud and Honor

It never fails, every Palm Sunday I come home, find my All Glory Laud and Honor sheet music and sit at the piano and smile. I would like to think my dear Godmother is looking down from me from heaven and smiling. I hope she knows how she greatly influenced my life.

All Glory Laud and Honor: Sheet Music for String QuartetAll Glory Laud and Honor: Sheet Music for String QuartetAll Glory, Laud and Honor Sheet MusicHymn All Glory, Laud and Honor Sheet MusicHal Leonard All Glory, Laud and Honor (An Organ Suite for Holy Week)Hal Leonard All Glory, Laud and Honor (An Organ Suite for Holy Week)All Glory, Laud and Honor: Hymn Arrangements for Solo Piano (Moderate)All Glory, Laud and Honor: Hymn Arrangements for Solo Piano (Moderate)PROCESSIONAL ONPROCESSIONAL ON Palm SundayAll Glory, Laud and Honor: Organ Expressions for Palm Sunday Through EastertideAll Glory, Laud and Honor: Organ Expressions for Palm Sunday Through Eastertide

What memories of Palm Sunday do you remember most?

How do you celebrate Holy Week and Easter?

Palm Sunday Bible Story Books for Kids

It is easy to find Easter story books for kids, but it’s harder to find Palm Sunday Bible story books. Here are a few books to for a Palm Sunday Bible Story lesson.

The Littlest Donkey: A Palm Sunday StoryThe Littlest Donkey: A Palm Sunday StoryHumphrey's First Palm SundayHumphrey’s First Palm SundayThe Little Donkey: A Palm Sunday/Easter Story for All AgesThe Little Donkey: A Palm Sunday/Easter Story for All AgesThe Colt and the King a Palm Sunday story kidsThe Colt and the King

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: childhood memories, Christian, christianity, church, Easter, Faith, glory laud and honor, God, holy week, hymns, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Lent, lutheran, memories, Palm Sunday, religion

Day 146/365:Christ the Lord is Risen Indeed

April 24, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Christ the Lord is Risen Indeed, Alleluia! Happy Easter to one and God Bless you and your families this Easter season.

Christ The Lord is Risen Indeed!

Today, on Easter, this image of theRelated articles

  • The Resurrection of Our Lord (Pastor Brent Kuhlman)
  • Tozer Devotional-Alive in Christ (trinityspeaks.wordpress.com)
  • Happy Easter (adamsart.wordpress.com)
  • HOW TO DIE RIGHT (He is not here, but is risen! Luke 24:6) (parolmasterblog.wordpress.com)

Filed Under: Project 365 Tagged With: 365project, Alleluia, Christ, christ the lord, christianity, Easter, Faith, God, Jesu, Jesus, Lord, Photography, postaday, project365, Religion & Spirituality, Religion and Spirituality

Day 139/365: Rose of Jericho, Resurrection Plant, A Sunday School Lesson

April 22, 2011 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Grow a Resurrection Plant for Lent and Easter

I love teaching Sunday School. I especially when I have a visual aid that gets the kids excited. Kids Sunday School lessons are always more fun, engaging and memorable when you kids can relate everyday items, events, and discoveries to Jesus and the Bible. 

The Rose jericho, or Resurrection plant is a perfect Sunday school lesson for Easter, Lent or during the church year when you want to teach the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Learn how to grow a resurreciton plant and where to buy a resurrection plant for your students.

Here is how to grow a Resurrection plant as an example of Jesus Christ and the Resurrection Easter.

On Palm Sunday I used this unique Resurrection Plant to show the death of Christ and how the Easter miracle of resurrection brings everlasting life and rebirth with the forgiveness of sins. Easter lessons in Sunday school classes should be especially memorable.

Easter Cards - Kids Easter Bunny
Easter Cards – Kids Easter Bunny
by ChristianGiftIdea

Sunday School Ressurection Lesson

I’m always looking for ways to keep kids interested and looking forward to attending Sunday School. When kids reach 4th-6th grade they often are bored with fill in the blanks, coloring, and crafts. A Sunday school resurrection lesson is perfect for Easter or Holy week but works just as well during other church seasons.

He Saved Ewe | Kids Easter T-Shirt
He Saved Ewe | Kids Easter T-Shirt
by ChristianGiftIdea

During my 25 years of teaching Sunday school at Trinity Lutheran Church I have learned a lot, and obviously every year I teach the kids about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is difficult for kids to wrap their tiny brains around “everlasting life”. It’s hard for adults to grasp as well.

The best way I have of getting kids to remember their lessons from week to week, or even from one year to the next is to give leading questions and they supply the answers. They discover the true Easter lesson of resurrection, life everlasting and how the water from their Baptism gives life to their faith.

Where to buy a resurrection plant for Sunday School activities

Introduction:

  • Does this plant look dead to you? Why? What makes it dead (get input from all the students, going around the room)
  • Do you think it could ever come back to life and be green again? (again get input from kids)
  • What if I said I can make this plant live again. Would you believe me?
  • Pass out the bowls, pour about 2 inches in each child’s bowl
  • What’s in the bowl? (obviously water- use references to baptism)

Give each student a Rose Jerico (Resurrection plant) of their own and have them place it in the water. Explain how Jesus remained in the tomb for three days before he rose from the dead on Easter morning.  Jesus appeared dead in the tomb. Your plant appears dead.

This resurrection Sunday School lesson is perfect for Palm Sunday, Easter or anytime during the church year
2 Hours- kids can come back down after church to see the progress
Scripture Confirmation Gifts for Girls Silver Plated Necklace
Scripture Confirmation Gifts for Girls Silver Plated Necklace
by ChristianGiftIdea

If you are doing this lesson on Palm Sunday this same Sunday school activity continues the next week as an Easter Sunday lesson.

Resurrection plant fully open

You can discuss how every living thing needs water. We can go without food for several days, but we can’t live without water. We can’t live without water, we can’t truly live in Christ without Baptism.

Pretty Flower Christian Happy Easter Card
Pretty Flower Christian Happy Easter Card
by ChristianGiftIdea

Word Association Lessons: Sunday School

  • Everlasting life – life everlasting – heaven
  • Water – baptism – life
  • Reborn – rebirth
  • Resurrection – miracle
  • Faith – feed your faith – water it on a regular basis – How? Answer: Scripture, attending church

What is a Resurrection Plant?

The Resurrection plant is also known as the Rose of Jerico,  Miracle Fern, or even the Dinosaur plant. While they are actually a couple of different species they have several traits in common. Both are from very arid parts of the world. During the dry seasons, the plant curls inward in a protection mode. It is thought this plant can lay dormant for 100 years just waiting for rain.

They appear dead without water, yet when their roots are placed in the water this grey dead (seemingly) plant uncurls, opens up, turns green and comes back to life. Much like water in baptism gives you new life.

We placed the Resurrection Plant in a bowl of water and I promised to take pictures during the next 24 hours and bring them the next week, along with the plant. Here is the sequence.

Resurrection Plant- Rose of Jerico
Time: 8 hours (SOOC)
Time: 10 hours (SOOC without custom white balance)
Resurrection plant fully open
Time: 24 hours (SOOC) A New Life in Christ

The kids decided they wanted to plant this remarkable plant and keep it in our classroom as a reminder of the miracle of Christs’ death and Resurrection. I think that is a good idea.  Sounds like another Sunday School activity to me.

Wooden Memory Boxes - Confirmation Gifts Girls
Wooden Memory Boxes – Confirmation Gifts Girls
by ChristianGiftIdea

Where to Buy A Resurrection Plant

It’s a good idea to purchase one for every student, then they can take it home after Easter as a daily reminder. You can purchase Rose Jerico plants in bulk from several nursery suppliers on Etsy.

A resurrection plant is the perfect Easter Sunday School activity.. Also know as the Rose of Jerico this plant shows an example of the resurrection of Christ.

They don’t have to worry about watering and killing the plant as the Jerico fern keeps coming back to life.

Time Lapse Video of a Resurrection Plant

It was actually very amazing how fast the plant opened. The video below of the Rose of Jericho plant opening is obviously a time lapse. 

But in just a few hours from the start of Sunday school at 9:30 until when church was dismissed the plant had opened halfway. I did use warm water, that might have an impact. All I know is the kids loved it.

So do you think you might be using a Rose of Jerico (Resurrection Plant) for your Easter Sunday School Lesson this year?


Photography Tips: You will notice the photo at the 10 hour mark is distinctly “off color” and the others are pure white, even with the SOOC, straight out of the camera. I left this on purpose. I have been experimenting with my cameras white balance and none of the preset options (fluorescent, incandescent) gave me the results I wanted, so I tried the custom and LOVED the results.

Mind you I don’t have a fancy camera, just a

Filed Under: Events, Photography, Project 365 Tagged With: 365project, Christ, christianity, church, Crucifixion of Jesus, Easter, Faith, Jesus Christ, Palm Sunday, Photography, postaday, project365, Resurrection Plant, Sunday, Sunday School

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