Open Sunday

The first Sunday of each year is referred to at CERC as "Open Sunday."  All regular classes are cancelled so that the whole congregation can meet together between services for a review of the last year's CI classes and a look ahead (or opening) to this year's classes.  "CI" stands for Covenant Instruction and includes all the catechism classes, the Sunday School and practical religion classes, and the Bible classes for the older youths on Sundays.  During the Open Sunday program we see what some of the classes have learned in the past year. The program is also meant to encourage the students and teachers as they begin another year of this work.

As usual, this year's program began with an exhortation and a review of the coming year's church calendar for all CI classes.  This year's exhortation was on Psalm 126:5-6, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."

Exhortation

Introduction to the new year of classes by Elder Wong

It seems not to be any secret that the highlight of the program is the singing presented by the different CI classes. :-)

Ages 2-12 sang Psalter #53, Psalter #203, and "The Lord's Prayer."

(Side note--I love Jael and Megan holding hands while they sing!)

A group of the youth sang Psalter #268 and "How Deep the Father's Love For Us."

Here is a short video of the end of that last song.  Those who get my blog emailed to them will have to go directly to the website to watch the video.

Thanks to all the teachers of CERC's children and young people for your work in the past year and in preparing for this year.  May God bless the coming year of covenant instruction.