Lent
Palm Sunday, April 13, 2014
The weather was warm (70’s) and glorious with abundant sunshine. We had 51, including the Andersons who returned from Texas. We had a few guests also. All the children were present for Godly Play.|Lent wrapped up this week. It was the Liturgy of the Palms before the service at 10:45am and then the Liturgy of the Passion which is the extended Holy Week reading, this year from the Gospel of Matthew. We had less than 20 for the Litany of the Palms last year when it was colder in March, 2013. We had 30-40 this year with the excellent weather.|The altar was stripped for the passion narrative. One by one Eunice brought objects to the altar which were symbolic of the event and also provide a lesson for us. It included the bread and wine, a sword, a bowl of water and towel, fair linen, a rock, 30 pieces of silver, a crown of thorns and scarlett robe. After the passion narrative Catherine explained the symbolism as the sermon.
Palm Sunday, March 29, 2015
Our Palm Sunday weather in 2015 was not spring-like except for the sun which was glorious. The temperature was in the high 40’s, reached the low 50’s but was windy|We had 47 but a smaller number for the Litany of the Palms. This year we had various noise makers including a cymbal to increase and highlight the fanfare.|Catherine’s opening homily focused on the concept of love in Holy week despite the tragedy – the annointing at Bethany, the Last Supper, Jesus toward God and the Centurion. Each forgot their own needs and served the other.
Feb. 22, 2015, Lent 1
A snowstorm of 4+ inches eliminated most of the events of the past week. Both Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday were eliminated as well as the remainder of the Wednesday activities – Bible Study, ECW and the Food distribtution. We had 35 at the service on Sunday, Feb. 22, Lent 1. The sermon dealt with transitions which are apparent in the Gospel reading from Jesus being baptized, to being driven into the wilderness for 40 days and finally beginning his ministry proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
Good Friday, March 29, 2013
Good Friday is a blend of all of the Holy Week services. There is a long reading like Palm Sunday, this year in Luke. The reading in Good Friday is always from John, a very detailed account of Christ’s last day Like Tenebrae, Good Friday creates a mood and like Maundy Thursday is one day, the last one for Christ. It maybe is the most emotional one from disbelief over the arrest, flogging, trial and eventual crucifixion in a quickly moving Friday to one of horror, anger and reflection.
Palm Sunday, March 24, 2013
An overcast, cool Palm Sunday. We have pictures of the Lenten Quiet Day plus the music, Liturgy of the Palms and Passion narrative.
Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013
Ash Wednesday came with a cold steady rain that seemed to fit the mood of the day. “Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior.” The bulletin for the service is here.|For such as night we had a good crowd at 21. People appreciated being there. Certainly one highlight was Nancy’s solo on “The Glory of These Forty Days. ” The words are attributed to Pope Gregory in the 6th century. “The glory of these forty days We celebrate with songs of praise; For Christ, by Whom all things were made, Himself has fasted and has prayed.” While we remember our sins and misdoings, the mood is not dwelling on the past but on improving the future