EHA

April 6, 2005

As part of the month-long Focus on the Christian Family, the Duncan Hospital community participated in a wonderful and significant celebration of Easter on March 27, 2005. The celebration began on Easter eve with a program arranged by the Children’s Club team. The program enabled the children to share with hospital patients and their families about the Good News of Easter. In two central locations around the hospital wards, they performed a simple but powerful drama illustrating the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Easter Day began at 4:30 a.m. with singing and prayers in the hospital wards. Many patients and relatives gathered to hear the message of hope that “Jesus is risen.” This was followed by a service in the church graveyard, where we remembered that the grave is not the end, but that we have the confidence of salvation and everlasting life because of the reality and the power of the resurrection of Jesus. In the main worship service we celebrated with music, Bible reading, and a special drama performed by the Youth Fellowship. The drama using a court-room analogy, demonstrated that we are not saved by our own goodness or merit, but only by the sacrifice of Jesus through which God looks on Jesus and pardons us.

In continuation of our celebration, we gathered as a community to enjoy a fellowship meal after the service. Many hands worked together to serve a delicious meal to 400 people, and we were all blessed by the sense of community that we shared. To round off the day, the evening English service continued in the spirit of hope and celebration through music, prayer, and readings from Scripture. In the evening’s message, we were reminded that in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, God brings about transformation in hearts and lives. With thankful and hopeful hearts we celebrated Easter as a community.

- Dr. Mathew George, Duncan Hospital