Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-04-10
Easter In Alma Churches.

Easter In Alma Churches.
In st. Johns church the Easter decor
ations exceeded i'll beauty and profusion
any ever seen in this church. On the
reading desk were beautiful hyacinths
and carnations. Prominent about the
altar were Easter lilies and profusion
of hyacinths, carnations and green
vines. One of the most noticeable fea-
lures of the decorations was the beauti.
full memorial cross, i'll memory of the
late ID. r. Sullivan, which stood directly
in front of the Easter lily in front of the
chancel window. Banks of cut flowers,
potted plants and ferns completed the
floral decorations.
The services began with morning
prayers and Holy Communion at 100 a..
III. The music at this service was by
the vested choir. Prayers were followed
by the professional, the choir singing.
In the afternoon was the Easter festival
for the children, and at the close of the
services every attendant was remem-
bered with beautiful Easter gift. In
the evening the church was crowded as
it has seldom been before. The rector
delivered "A most able sermon appropri-
ate TO the day, and at the close of the
sermon the rite of baptism was admins
tered to twenty persons. The special
features of the musical program were
the organ voluntaries by Miss Ward,
who brought from the organ strains of
glad hosanas to the Risen Lord.
The Presbyterian church was filled at
both morning and evening service. A
special musical program was rendered
at each service. In the morning the
pastor preached a sermon appropriate
| for the season, and in the evening an
Easter concert was given by the mem
bers of the Sunday school. Mrs. Plum
gave an interesting talk to the children,
| telling the story of the caterpillar and
| the buttercup, and made the analogy
between the resurrection of nature
and the resurrection of Christ SC
plain that the youngest child present
could hardly fail to understand the
| lesson. The floral decorations We're
very beautiful. Over the pulpit were
suspended three white bells, on which
Were gracefully arranged white roses
and green vines. Potted plants and cut
flowers tastily arranged about the pull
pit combined TO produce an exceedingly
pleasing effect
Rev. G. +. Woodruff began his labors
as pastor Of the Baptist church Easter
Sunday. The deft fingers and exquisite
taste of Mrs. Jefts and Miss Stone had
transformed the church into bower OF
beeuty. Easter lilies, roses, carnations
and potted plants We're grouped about
the pulpit, platform and organ i'll a
pleasing manner, as if to add to the
cordial welcome extended to the new
pastor. Mr.. Woodruff preached two
excellent sermons, characterized by
thoughtful study and intense earnest
ness.
The day was busy one for the mem
bers of the Methodist church. Sunrise
services called out a good many mem
bers and the service was very helpful
A special Easter service was held fol
the morning service, at which time tn,
choir rendered excellent music. TIL,
Sunday school services were held in the
afternoon, and the evening service wa
conducted by the Woman's Foreign
Missionary Society, and was in the
nature of a thank offering" TIL,
church was prettily decorated the fora
Offerings of lilies, roses, carnations, anC
palms being arranged i'll very effectiv,
manner.