Archive for April, 2009

Friends in Holy Covenant,

Holy Week begins this weekend with Palm Sunday, when we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The next Sunday is, of course, Easter Day, when we gather to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the grave and to ponder the meaning of this miracle for our lives and, indeed, the life of the world.

To jump from Palm Sunday immediately to Easter Day is, however, to neglect the mysterious and painful stories that fall in between. The Gospel writers thought that these stories were of the utmost importance; in fact, the accounts of the individual days and occurrences of Holy Week are the most detailed and descriptive of all the Gospel passages about Jesus’ life. Take some time this week to read Matthew 21-28 (only a chapter a day!), in which we overhear the words, reflections, and actions of Jesus, his disciples, and their enemies as the dramatic events transpire.

One reason for all this detail is so that we will be able to share the sense of awe and wonder that the disciples must have felt on that first Easter. By traveling with them through Jerusalem’s political mess, a special meal together, betrayal by a close friend, their guilt and shame, the embarrassment and agony of the crucifixion, and the sense of utter failure, we will also be able to share with them the marvelous astonishment of Easter, and of a God who somehow uses all of this to transform the world.

You are invited to join us for worship at Holy Covenant: wave palms this Sunday, eat and drink at the Lord’s table on Holy Thursday, confront the reality of violence and death on Good Friday. And then you will know with your whole body, with your entire being, the truth of the miracle that now, we can only whisper, but on Easter, we will sing: Alleulia! Christ is Risen!

Grace and peace,
Pastor Trey Hall

CHILDREN’S EASTER CELEBRATION! ~ Saturday April 11th, 10:30am-12pm
Please bring your children and friends and join us for an Easter Celebration at Holy Covenant! We will have an egg hunt, make a craft, and have treats together to celebrate Easter! We are looking for a few volunteers to help with a few aspects of preparation for this event, so please contact Donelle Sommer if you are available or if you have questions about the event.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES – Room to Move!
Does your toddler need a little more room to stretch or vocalize during worship? Starting on Palm Sunday we will have play mats and available in the gallery just outside the southwest doors of the sanctuary for toddlers and adults to use as needed. This will give the restless children a little more room to move and there will be a monitor so the adults can follow the service when they are outside of the worship space.

CHILDREN & FAMILIES COMMITTEE ~ New Members Welcome! – Sunday April 4, 12pm
Do you enjoy working with children and/or planning events and educational opportunities that involve children and families? The C & F committee at Holy Covenant needs 2-3 additional members and that you be you! Please join us for a lunch meeting after the second service this Sunday, April 4th for C & F ministries at Holy Covenant. Lunch is provided, so please RSVP to Donelle Sommer if you can attend!

Each week, you’re to read daily ten-minute passages that over the course of the year will trail you right through the Old and New Testaments. A group meets every Sunday, between morning services, from about 10:35 to 11:10 in the sanctuary, to talk about what you’ve read. Email pastortrey@holycovenantumc.org for more information. Readings for the week are as follows: