Post Tagged with: "Easter"

Students, Staff Celebrate Resurrection of Christ in All-School Easter Chapel

ACS students and staff gathered on April 6 for an all-school Easter Chapel to celebrate the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of the world and rose victorious to bring salvation and eternal life to mankind. Various student musical groups performed songs that joyfully told the story of the hope of salvation in Christ.

Upper School Principal Meg McHale opened the Easter Chapel in prayer as some 700 students from preschool to high school and their teachers gathered in the gym for the chapel.

The PreK4 classes opened the chapel singing “One-Two-Three,” followed by the 8th Grade Band playing “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” led by Music Director Tim Rosie.

McHale then talked about the upcoming missions trips to Coatesville, Pennsylvania and the Bahamas that middle school and high school students would be taking during Easter break and how they will be sharing the message of a risen Savior with the adults and children they will be serving. She then invited the students to come forward and faculty member Dan Vasquez gave a prayer of blessing and commission. Vasquez and his wife, Erin, would be serving as chaperones, along with staff member Carrie Jorgenson, for the team serving in Coatesville at the Bridge Academy.

Elementary Principal Gail Alford then introduced the 3rd grade classes who sang “The Power of the Cross,” followed by the 5th grade Worship Team singing “No One Greater,” and the combined 4th and 5th Grade Worship Teams getting everyone on their feet to sing and do choreography to “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.”

Easter Chapel speaker Christian Delacruz

Following the praise and worship time, a short video was shown celebrating the greatest gift of all — Christ’s victory over death when He rose from the dead, leaving an empty tomb, and making the gift of eternal life available to all mankind.

Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen then introduced high school Bible teacher and Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz to present the chapel message. Delacruz outlined why Christ’s resurrection was needed, the events that led up to the resurrection, and the benefits of the resurrection.  “The resurrection of Jesus Christ accomplished many things for us as believers,” Delacruz said. “It was the ultimate victory over sin and death and it paved the way for our salvation and eternal life. Through the resurrection we have been given new life, a new identity, and a new purpose, and we can live with the assurance that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The High School Worship, under the direction of faculty member Julie Zimmer, then led everyone in two songs praising God for the gift of eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Chief School Administrator Oblen closed the chapel in prayer.

 

Jesus is Alive — ACS Students, Staff Celebrate the Death, Resurrection of Christ in All-School Easter Chapel

Jesus is Alive! — ACS students and staff gathered on April 14 for an all-school Easter Chapel to celebrate the redemptive work of  Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of the world and rose victorious to bring salvation and eternal life to mankind. Various student groups raised their voices in praise and worship with songs that joyfully told the story of the hope of salvation in Christ.

“The miraculous events we celebrate at Easter changed mankind forever and gave us the opportunity to receive God’s salvation and be able to spend eternity with Him,” said Elementary School Principal and Early Education Director Gail Alford, as she welcomed some 660 students from preschool to high school and their teachers gathered in the gym for the chapel.

The kindergarten classes opened the chapel singing “We Are the Children of God,” followed by the Elementary Worship Team, comprised of 4th and 5th grade students, who sang and led choreography to “God is Alive” and “Way Maker.”

High school Bible teacher Urick Lewis presented a thoughtful message on the importance of having a humble heart of gratitude for the gift of salvation made by possible by Christ’s death and resurrection.  “Christ took our place on the cross and we did not deserve it. He paid the ultimate price for us,” Lewis said.  He taught from Luke 23:39-43 and contrasted the attitudes of the criminals who were crucified with Jesus — one who had a spirit of insult and entitlement, and the other who had a spirit of indebtedness.  “Entitlement is the trap door to your destruction,” Lewis said, “but indebtedness is the open door to your destiny.”

Following Lewis, Upper School Principal Meg McHale talked about the joy she feels at Easter. “The root of our joy is that Jesus is alive; He’s not dead,” McHale said. She then introduced the Middle School Worship team that led everyone in singing “My Father’s House” and “The Commission.”

Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen talked about the upcoming missions trips to Coatesville, Pennsylvania and North Carolina that middle school and high school students will be taking during Easter break and how they will be sharing the message of a risen Savior with the adults and children they will be serving. She then invited the students to come forward to receive a prayer of blessing and commission.

The High School Worship Team led a final time of worship, singing “Living Hope” and “Reign Above It All” and Upper School Vice Principal Drew Carney closed the chapel in prayer.

 

 

An Easter Reflection from Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen

Christ is Risen! These are the joyous words that we as Christians will proclaim this Easter Sunday. Through His death and resurrection, Christ paid the price for our sins and conquered the grave. Christ’s resurrection is what gives us the hope of eternal life. This message is why we can rejoice even as the world reels from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In I Thessalonians 5:16-18, the Apostle Paul wrote about the importance of having an attitude of gratitude, no matter what the situation — “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

The past several weeks have tested our students, staff, and school families like no other time in our school’s 49-year history. Our school campus is closed, living rooms have become classrooms, and economic uncertainty looms over every household. Yet, we can see God working in so many ways and we can give thanks. We are thankful for our teachers, who have met the challenge of teaching remotely and continued to share God’s Word daily with their students. We are grateful for our parents, who have come alongside our students to assist in the educational process and have been so encouraging to our teachers. We give thanks for the many individuals in our school family and in the community who are serving on the front line as first responders and health care providers. And we are blessed by the way our pastors and local churches have adapted to bring church into our homes and facilitated the weekly online chapel programs for our students.

On Thursday, April 9, our students and staff gathered remotely for our Easter Chapel, our final activity before the start of Easter break. Pastor Matt Stokes of Coastal Christian Church in Ocean City, and his son, Jesse, a former ACS student, gave the chapel message and challenged our students to reflect on the impact of Christ’s resurrection on their lives. An ACS staff ensemble also provided a time of praise and worship. I invite you to click on the links below to experience this year’s unique online Easter Chapel. I hope these presentations will be a blessing to you in this Easter season, Please keep our school family in your prayers and know that we are praying for you as well and for God to heal the sick and bring a speedy end to the coronavirus outbreak. Happy Easter!

CLICK HERE for the ACS Easter Chapel Devotional Message.

CLICK HERE for the ACS Easter Chapel Praise and Worship.