HOLY WEEK FESTIVITIES
2009
April is upon us and Holy Week is
just around the corner. I thought for
this issue I would highlight some of the events of the week. Please forgive me if it is but a duplication
of what Barbara includes.
Holy Week begins on Sunday, April 5th. That’s Palm
Sunday – the day that we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant (yet short lived)
“parade” into Jerusalem. The children will gather early to get their
palm fronds and lead us in. That is also
the first Sunday of the month, so don’t forget to bring some canned food for
the food pantry. The economy is still in
the dumper and more and more people are needing assistance just to survive from
one day to the next. We do make a
difference!
On Thursday, April 9th
at 7:00 p.m. (Maundy Thursday) we will meet together in the Sanctuary to share a
light meal and remember Jesus’ “Last Supper” with the disciples. We will also be celebrating communion. This is a reflective evening. Did you ever wonder what it must have been
like for the twelve disciples that night?
We will have a short dramatic presentation that will help us to
understand what they must have been thinking and feeling. You won’t want to miss out.
On Friday, April 10th,
at 7:30 p.m. (Good Friday) you are invited to join us for one of the most
difficult and painful services of the year.
It is the service where we remember Jesus’ march to the cross, his
crucifixion and his death. This is not
an easy time. Emotions are raw – BUT –
we cannot get to Easter without going through Good Friday. Do you really understand the sacrifice that
Jesus made for YOU? It is important to
be reminded – if only once a year – of what he has done for us, what he went
through for us, that he freely suffered and died for us. It won’t be fun, but it will be one of the
most moving services you can attend.
On Easter, April 12th we will have two services. The first will be a Sunrise (Sonrise) service. We will gather in the courtyard at 6:30 a.m.
(I know that’s early!) to watch the sun rise just as those who came to the
empty tomb that morning two millennia ago did. We will celebrate with them that
Jesus was not bound by death, that he indeed was and is resurrected.
At 10:00 a.m. we will have our traditional Easter service. We will be
encouraging you all to bring flowers so that we can flower the cross as we did
last year. Don’t worry if you don’t have
a flower to bring as we will be sure to have extras. The choir has prepared some beautiful
anthems, the scripture read will be that of joy and amazement, and the sermon
might even keep you awake until we dine on hot cross buns, donuts, and juice
following the service. J
This Holy Week can make a
difference in your life if you let it.
It starts with your participation.
It can’t touch you unless you are there.
It is my prayer that God will work wonders in your life and give you a
renewed sense of hope, peace, compassion, and love – whatever you decide to do.
And as always, I’ll see you on
Sunday (and maybe even Thursday and Friday too!)…
Love,
Pastor Tom
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