Invitation to Holy Week
 

Blessed is the One Who Comes in the Name of the LORD!  During the season of Lent we have journeyed with an awareness of blessedness, finding ourselves blessed even in loss, in grief, in separation, and in change.  Our forty days of Lent conclude on Holy Saturday of this Holy Week.  Holy Week is the time when we remember, and in some way re-create, the events leading to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  When we come to worship Palm Sunday and see the purple draped cross waiting for us, we can anticipate a cross-centered week.

 

Like most churches on the first day we hear the Palm Sunday story:  a story of triumph and celebration as Jesus enters Jerusalem amid the cheers and hosannas of a waiting crowd.  But another story follows, the dark story when all too quickly Palm Sunday’s “Hosanna” turns into Good Friday’s “Crucify!”  These two narratives are part of our own lives and our own stories which also include devotion and disappointment, discipleship and desertion.  We hear above it all Christ’s haunting cry from the cross:  “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

But that is not all of it, thanks be to God, there is more.  Still we need to hear and feel and live the whole story before the news of Easter morning can be really good news for us.  We invite you to come be a part of it all.  Come Palm Sunday morning to praise and sing as we hear of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Come to Palm Sunday Night and hear the story of characters in Christ’s passion drama.  Come Thursday evening for our Seder meal of questions and answers and the beloved “Dayenu.”  Come Friday night for Jesus’ seven last words from the cross and to experience the weight of darkness.  Come sit awhile on Saturday to pray and meditate.  And then come on Easter Sunday morning to ring joyfully the bells and proclaim the living hope in Christ Jesus, raised from the dead!  May your faith be strengthened and your life blessed as we celebrate the great good news!

                               

                                                                                                                                                Susan Meadors

Palm Sunday Morning, April 9, 10:30 a.m.

       Palm Processional

       Chancel Choir sings “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” arr. by G. M. Martin

           Rev. Susan Meadors preaching, “Behold Your King”

               

Palm Sunday Evening, 6:30 p.m.

        “Power and Passion:  Six Characters in Search of Resurrection,” a drama with              prayers and songs based on the book of the same title by Samuel Wells. 

         Fellowship Hall

Maundy Thursday, April 13, 6:30 p.m.

          An Observance of Passover and Jesus’ Last Supper

          Fellowship Hall

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Good Friday, April 14, 6:30 p.m.

      “Tenebrae,” a Service of Growing Darkness and the Seven Last Words of Christ

     Chancel Choir sings “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” arr. Travis & Harlan; “Jesus,            Remember Me” by Berthier/Taize; and, “What Wondrous Love” by John A. Behnke

     Dr. Craig Young, saxophone arrangement of “Were You There”

               

Holy Saturday, April 15 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

      Stations of the Cross hanging in the Sanctuary

      Come and go meditation and prayer

Easter Sunday Morning, April 16

     The cross in front of the sanctuary is adorned with fresh flowers before worship

     
      Bible Study for all ages, 9:15 a.m.

     
      Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Story for children (2 years - 6th grade) 9:15 a.m.

      
      Morning Worship, 10:30 a.m.

                         Chancel Choir sings, “Jesus Paid It All” arr. by Howard Helvey

                          Reverend Susan Meadors preaching, “This Is the Day”

                          Ringing of the Easter bells         

                          Communion