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A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Matthew 21:8
Once again this Sunday we start our service with this reading of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. These Gospel readings for Sunday, Holy Week and Easter are especially vivid for me because of having made the pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2012. I can see the road Jesus traveled on that donkey and imagine the crowd along the way.
There were so many different people gathered in Jerusalem for holy days. There were large crowds. In addition, there were trials and planned crucifixions happening, with the Roman Governor Pilate in town.
People had obviously heard something about Jesus. They were so excited to welcome him into the city. They were hopeful that he could make their lives better.
Yet, we know what happened after this triumphal entry. No more spreading of the cloaks on the road. No more cut branches from the trees spread upon the road. People were angry and no longer praising Jesus. They were calling for his crucifixion.
This Sunday is definitely an experience of joy followed by anger. It provides another chance for us to keep examining our relationship with Jesus. Where do we find joy? Where are we angry? What misguided expectations do we have about Jesus?
Many blessings until we meet on Sunday.
Love,
Rebecca+
Announcements
Today we take an additional offering for our Building Fund.
The money donated helps us pay for repairs.
Please include the following in your daily prayers.
Wendy, Jim, Tammy, Tootser, Wendy, Zoey, Heather, Lyndsay, Jason, Kiera, Father Warne and Fran, Josh, Arthaniel, Caverly, Shelby, Doris, Nic, Sue, Caleb, Anna, Carol, James, Sara, Anna, Mike, Georgianne, Neva, Jack, Pastor Jan Custer, Jennifer, Win, Bev, Rose, her husband Anthony and baby Sierra Nicole.
The community level of Covid in Perry County is low. Masks are optional.
Collections for Neighbor Helping Neighbor Food Bank
The April items are Juice, Jelly, Coffee, Tea and Tub/Tile and Floor Cleaners.
Holy Week Services
April 2 – Palm Sunday, 9:30am
April 4 – Holy Tuesday, 7pm
April 6 – Maundy Thursday, Agape Meal, 5:30pm followed by a service with foot washing, communion and stripping of the altar, 7:00pm
April 7 – Good Friday Cross Walk, Noon, Meet in front of The Jewel Box. Meditations will be offered on the hymn Beneath the Cross of Jesus.
April 7 - Good Friday service at Incarnation United Church of Christ, 7pm
April 9 – Easter Service
During 2023, we will be celebrating baptism on April 9, May 28, November 5.
Let Rebecca know if you or someone you know would like to be baptized on any of these days.
Fixing What's Broke: How Relationships Work Free Seminar, Saturday April 29th from 10am-2pm, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 600 Centerville Rd., Millerstown
Rev. Robert Spilman will be the main speaker. There was also be a free lunch so please RSVP by April 22. Email pastorwillcole@stmatthew.org or call 717-622-5919.
Annual Roadside Clean-up, Saturday, April 29, meet at Church of the Nativity, 9am.
Volunteers are needed to help clean up a portion of the road leading to Little Buffalo State Park. Please see John Cramer if you’d like to help.
UPMC Diversity Dialog Dinners, 5:30 – 7:30pm on the following dates and locations
YWCA Lancaster, Thursday, April 6; YWCA York, Tuesday, April 11; YWCA Harrisburg, Thursday, April 13; YWCA Hanover and Gettysburg, Thursday, April 20.
The Diversity Dinner Dialog aims to create a safe space to engage in meaningful conversations one the sensitive issues of race, bias, identity and belonging, diversity, equity and inclusion. Register at: bit.ly/diversitydialogue2023
Winter Shelter
The Perry County Task Force working on an emergency winter shelter for people who are unhoused is looking for volunteers. The shelter would be open from 5pm in the evening until 8am in the morning from November until March. There would be 2 shifts of volunteers and 2 volunteers for each shift. Training will be provided. There would be beds for those on the late night/early morning shift. This is a locked facility, so once the doors are locked, no one can come in/come back in. Adults interested in volunteering are invited to bring any and all questions to a special gathering on Saturday, April 29 from noon to 2:00 at Christ Lutheran Church, 115 Church Street, Duncannon to introduce the program and to sign up volunteers!!! Snacks will be served! There is a parking lot and additional parking on the side of the building.
