Getting Ready for Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011

In the church in which I grew up, First Covenant Church of St. Paul, Minnesota, Palm Sunday was a big deal. It was a Sunday I remembered more than any other Sunday in the year. Why? Because the children’s choir had to sing and process down the long sanctuary in red robes in front of the adult choir.

Choir in St. Paul was compulsory. Every Wednesday evening, at least forty (my memory about numbers is not that great, but it was a room full) elementary students learned to sing notes and read music. It was not optional that I knew of. Our teacher, the choir director’s wife and organist, Mrs. Opel, thoroughly taught us the basics of music. And the only time I remember the choir performing before the congregation was Palm Sunday.

This coming Sunday (Palm Sunday) the children of MCC will be participating in worship, even processing. But it will not be as a red-robed choir, but something much more surprising and full of energy. If you have elementary-aged children and wish them to participate, come a bit early and look for Ashley Miller or Lisa Holmlund for directions.

Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week around the world. Palm Sunday traditionally marks the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem for the last time. Then, on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m., we will offer a Maundy (from the Latin word mandatum: commandment) Thursday Communion service in the sanctuary with the opportunity to witness and experience foot washing. This will be a service for the whole family to attend.

On Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. there will be a Tenebrae service (again from the Latin word for darkness) that will recount the crucifixion of Jesus by reading the account from Matthew, singing hymns and lowering the lights into darkness. This is a service that visually reminds us of Jesus’ death.

All three of these services: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday will prepare us for the centerpiece of the Christian faith: Easter Sunday. On Easter we will celebrate the great news of Jesus’ resurrection and the hope he brings to all humanity. We will offer two worship services at 9:15 & 10:45, with the traditional Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m.

As you prepare for Sunday, what are your Palm Sunday and Holy Week memories and traditions? Are they good or painful? Do they bring you closer to Jesus or distract you from him? Are you open this year to allow God to meet you in these traditions and surprise you? I can’t wait to preach this coming Sunday’s Palm Sunday sermon. Why? I got totally surprised by the text this week that I have preached for many, many years. Something jumped out from the text to me that I never saw before and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Grace and Peace,

Don

1. There will be a congregational meeting immediately following the second service for the purpose of voting on the reception of new members.

2. Jr. High Habit will meet Sunday at 12:00 p.m.

3. Confirmation on Wednesday evening is cancelled during Holy Week.

4. An Easter Brunch for college students is being hosted by Lisa Holmlund on Easter Sunday. RSVP with Lisa at lisa@mcchurch.org or speak with her on the patio Sunday.

5. One worship service at 10:00 a.m. will begin on May 1, the Sunday following Easter.

6. The June 26, Condor Express boat trip has 30 people registering interest. The required number is 140 at $50 per/person. Easter Sunday is your last opportunity before we decide to reserve or cancel.

7. Budget Update as of April 13

a. Income Needed YTD: $206,154

b. Income Received (%YTD needed) $157,026 (76.2%)

c. Expenses YTD (deficit) $195,006 ($37,908)

8. You can also read this email and see the altar-piece by going to our church web site (http://mcchurch.org/mcchurch/) and clicking on the orange logo on the lower right side of the screen