Real Time With Jesus
We are really excited to welcome Kellie Wheeler as our new Parish Administrator! Kellie and her kiddos, Nora and Owen, have been worshiping with us since the fall. Kellie has a lot of valuable experience including running her own business (check it out here)! Kellie wrote up this short intro, and we'll pray for her this Sunday.
Dear Church,
During Lent the church journeys with Jesus to the cross. During Holy Week this journey becomes a daily, “realtime” match with Jesus’ week leading to his crucifixion. Beginning with Palm Sunday and concluding with the final three services (known as the Triduum) this is the climatic week in the church calendar. But for the events of this week, the church would not exist. But for the events of this week, we would not have the Gospel.
Our week in real time with Jesus begins this Sunday. For Palm Sunday we will gather outside at 10am to begin with joyful procession entering into worship together, giving all glory, laud, and honor to him. From there we will follow the story of the cross through a dramatic reading of the passion narrative and we will hear our hosannas turn to shouts of “crucify him!” In this way, Palm Sunday invites to freshly repent and confirm our allegiance to our humble, redeemer king.
This coming week you might follow along with the prayers from the Book of Common Prayer for Monday through Wednesday of Holy Week. We will next gather at 8140 Exchange Dr. on April 14th at 6:30pm for a joint Maundy Thursday service with Christ Church. In this service we will reenact the last supper recorded in John 13 as we marvel at Jesus’ remarkable acts of humility and service.
On Friday, the 15th, we will again gather at 6:30pm at COTC’s property for our Good Friday service. This service is constructed around the seven phrases Jesus spoke from the cross. A few members of our community will share reflections on some of these words, reflecting on how Christ’s suffering has ministered in the midst of their own. Our worship will involve responding in prayer to the other words Jesus speaks from the cross, as we together rejoice in Christ’s sacrifice for us. Childcare up to age 5 is available for these services.
Our worship culminates with the Feast of the Resurrection on Sunday, April 17th at 8am (outdoor, weather permitting) and 10am. From the quiet of Holy Saturday the church explodes in praise as Jesus bursts forth from the tomb, defeating death, sin, and the powers of hell. Our worship at 8am and 10am on the 17th are entirely oriented around this momentous victory, a joyful end to a rich week. I hope you can join us of the various elements of this time of closely tracking with Christ, be sure to invite friends and family as well, the evangelistic power of this week is real.
In anticipation,
Peter+
Ps. This Sunday, Palm Sunday, following worship we’ll have training for The Garden (COTC’s children’s ministry) , and a prayer walk around the new property. See below for details and to RSVP.