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Rain showers failed to soak the enthusiasm of hundreds of people who participated and watched Wesley Mission’s annual Palm Sunday event in Sydney.
The re-enactment of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem along the Circular Quay boardwalk was met with a chorus of Let it Shine andHallelujah, we are going to see the king!.
Diners at cafes and restaurants, tourists and families stopped, watched and listened to singing led by the beautiful harmonies of Wesley Mission’s Samoan congregation.
“God’s love shone through the Sydney rain,” said Wesley Mission Superintendent the Rev Dr Keith Garner. “Members of our different congregations showed great passion and grace in all that was undertaken on the day.
“Onlookers were clearly captivated by the procession and many mums and dads found themselves explaining to their children the significance of Palm Sunday. It was a wonderful public witness. Few could have seen the event without asking: who is this man? Even a television network cameraman noted that it was pleasing to see so many happy and enthusiastic faces on a wet and overcast day.”
Palm Sunday is one of the most important events on the Christian calendar, heralding the beginning of Holy Week, the period of events leading to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Christian Berechree, 24, who played Jesus, led the way riding on a donkey as palm wavers heralded his arrival as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
After heading towards the Opera House the crowd moved back across the Quay to First Fleet Park where children enjoyed face painting and other activities.
“Today I watched the faces of the people watching the procession—and I saw our joy in Christ reflected in their eyes,” said the Rev Rick Dacey, Senior Minister at Wesley Mission.
“I heard the church celebrating—even in a torrential downpour, thanks to the truly exceptional spiritual leadership of Wesley Samoan Congregation. I saw children and youth from Wesley International Congregation and our Samoan congregation singing and dancing in the rain, encouraged by the support of onlookers from those and other congregations.
“I saw a 6pm church elder cheerfully holding an umbrella over the facepainter for an hour so that she could continue to paint children’s faces.”
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