Greetings from Church of Peace on this Maundy Thursday,
Tonight we gather to remember the evening that Jesus instituted the sacrament we call “The Lord’s Supper.” Our service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Holy Communion will be served in the pews. A meditation and the Words of Institution will be presented with haunting music and art on the screen. The Chapel Choir will sing. There will be a children’s sermon. Join us as we participate in Jesus’ last meal and then hear again the story of his heart-wrenching prayer in Gethsemane.
Tomorrow night (Friday) we will commemorate the trial, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. Through the extinguishing of candles, the reading of Scripture, reflections by some of the participants in the Biblical story, and significant symbols, we will journey with Jesus through this terrible time. Pastor Jim will sing two solos. The service will begin at 7:00. There will be no sermon or children’s sermon; the Biblical witness will bring the story to life for us. Be prepared to leave the sanctuary in silence with a heavy but hopeful heart.
Sunday is Easter! Our two services (7:00 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.) will celebrate the glorious story of Christ’s resurrection. The flowers in the sanctuary will testify to new life. Altar communion will be served. The Chapel Choir will sing at the first service and will be joined by the Youth Choir and Sunday School children at the second service. We will be blessed with instrumental accompaniment by two of our youth. There will be no Christian Education classes on Easter.
After each Easter service, the youth will serve an enhanced Easter Social Hour; funds raised will go toward the mission trip this summer.
If you donated flowers for the Easter service, you make take them home after the second service. All flowers are labeled this year to prevent the mix-ups of past years, so please make sure you are taking the flowers with your name on them. Thank you for sharing this beauty with us all.
We know of two people who have been hospitalized for surgery this week: Tom Langenhorst and Theresa Schultz. Please remember to thank God for the healing they have experienced.
There is still time to sign up for the Golden Fellowship Lunch and Tour on this coming Tuesday, the Women’s Retreat on Friday night, Co-ed Summer Softball, and the Chicago Architectural Tour. All sign-up sheets are on the lobby bulletin board. There is also a place there to sign-up for the Mother-Daughter Banquet.
That’s the news from Church of Peace.
We’ll see you in church! Pastors Jenny and Jim
A prayer for today: O God, I am aware that today, tomorrow, Saturday, and Easter, you will be offering me innumerable opportunities to grow in faithfulness to you. You have invited me to remember the last days of Jesus’ life and to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Open my heart to the growth you offer me. When Easter breaks forth in happy song, may my spirit be singing with joy and my heart be full of hope. Thank you for the joy and hope that your healing power have brought to all who are sick, especially Tom Langenhorst and Theresa Schultz. Amen.