Growing up in the Hillsboro Christian Church, Easter morning was always a busy time. My sister and I would be awaken about 4:30 in the morning, we would put on our new Easter finery, which included a new dress, shoes, purse, hat and gloves and then leave for church with our parents for the Sunrise Service which started at 6:00.
Easter, 1963 with my sister, Nancy, Mom and Dad, ready for church.
Our church in Hillsboro was established in 1874, it was the church that my dad was baptised in, the church that my mom switched her membership to at the age of twenty when she and Dad got married. It was the church that my sister and I were baptised in, the church that my daughter, Heather, began her faith. The church was the center of our lives growing up in the 60’s. My sister and I attended Sunday School with the same kids that we went to school with, that we were in 4-H with, that we were in Girl Scouts with, the boys at church were our first boyfriends.
The sanctuary at Hillsboro Christian Church faces West, with classrooms behind the sanctuary. Many sunrise services, I remember the sun coming up behind us just at the close of the service. As a child, feeling the sun on our backs, I knew God was smiling down on us, and I felt His presence on that very special morning, the most holy of all Christian holidays.
The sanctuary of Hillsboro Christian Church, circa 1986.
After the traditional hymns of “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”, “He Lives”, ”Christ Arose” and “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth” we would congregate to the church basement for breakfast. Then we would go to our Sunday School classes, listen to the wonderful story of Christ rising from the grave, saving us from our sins. Afterwards, we would gather once again in the sanctuary for the Worship Service and the Baptismal Service.
Once we were through with church, my family would drive back out to the farm where we would be greeted by the wonderful smells of Mom’s Easter Dinner. Mom would already have the dining room table set with her pink depression dishes, the only time of the year she would use them, her wedding crystal and silver. The dining room was used only on special occasions such as Easter and Christmas so it was a treat to sit at a ”grown up” table with “grown up” dishes
My first Easter, 1960, with Aunt Mary, Dad and Nancy.
Many years, my Aunt Mary would join us for Easter which was a treat for me, as I was named for my Aunt Mary and her being my very favorite aunt. I am fortunate that she is still with us at age 82, the last of my dad’s siblings to survive.
Dad always said grace before every meal and it was always the same one, thanking God for His Son, that we would always keep Him first in our lives, for the food to be put to use for our bodies . At the time, I thought I would never forget his prayer, but after being gone for 10 years now, Dad’s prayer has faded in my memory, but not the undying faith I had in my dad and the faith in God that my parents instilled in me and my sister .
After an Easter dinner of baked ham, cheese and potatoes, home canned green beans, home frozen corn, mashed potato rolls, and a relish tray, we would be treated to Mom’s fine baking skills with German Chocolate Cake and a fruit salad. What a feast.
In the afternoon, the “grown ups” would sit and visit, while my sister and I would compare the candy we got in our Easter Baskets. Easter at our house was comprised of church and the fellowship there, our faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ and a fine Easter dinner. My mom was the best cook!
As this Easter approaches, I pray for our country, for my friends and my family, all who are very precious to me. May the Grace of God shine down upon you all. Mary Lynn Janeway.
Easter 1961, with Nancy and Aunt Mary
Filed under: Fountain County, IN, Janeway (IN), Other History on March 18th, 2008 | No Comments »
