By Jim Doepken
Special to the Turnagain Times

The Easter account in the Gospel of Mark is a subject of lots of discussion among religious folk this time of year. What’s so awesome about it is that, chapter 16, verse 8 has the three women who have been at the tomb running away, “for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were sore afraid.” Many of the ancient manuscripts of the Bible close Mark’s Gospel right there…with persons running away, “sore afraid.”
While Christians around the world will most likely downplay the whole “running away” from Easter this year (we tend to do that pretty well all by ourselves), there is a measure of awe and amazement that we proclaim is at the heart of the Easter message. And so, Christians will be gathering on Easter Sunday to continue proclaiming this amazing story that is so central to their faith. On March 23rd, Christians in Girdwood will also celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Here are a few of the local special services:
• The Annual Mountaintop “Sunrise Service at Alyeska” will be at 7:30 AM. (Tram service begins at 6:45 AM.)
• Girdwood Chapel (on Timberline Drive) will have its “Easter Celebration” at 11:00 AM. Communion will be offered and all are welcome to attend.
• The Roman Catholic Church will meet at 6 PM at “Our Lady of the Snows” at Alyeska Resort. A special offering will go towards a mission experience for 6 local youth in Lineville, Alabama.
It is my hope that, wherever you are on Easter Sunday this year – whether running down the mountain or running to see friends or running around your kitchen cooking up something special, or running into church…wherever – it is my hope that you will hear about or see or feel some holy amazement at the story of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
God bless you all and God bless our Turnagain Arm communities.