Dear U Park Family,
Holy Week and Easter are here! Sunday’s Palm Sunday procession, led by our church’s children and our choir, was a glorious way to start this sacred time.
This week, we’ll have the opportunity to experience the story that is at the heart of our faith with a series of worship services focusing on the last few days of Jesus’ life and on his resurrection at Easter. Our Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening worship all begin at 7:00 PM.
Thursday, we’ll gather in Wasser Chapel to hear the story of Jesus’ final meal with his disciples. We’ll take communion together and take part in a hand washing ritual, recalling his washing his disciples’ feet in a gesture of loving service.
Friday evening at 7:00 in our Sanctuary, our choir will present a powerful cantata, “The Weeping Tree,” recounting Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
Saturday evening, we’ll begin the Easter Vigil at 7:00 P.M. in the courtyard around a fire. We’ll light the Christ candle from that flame and process into Wasser Chapel for what is traditionally the first worship service of the Easter season. Through liturgies of Word, Water, and Light, we will recall the story of God’s loving action to redeem us and bring us into the Kindom. The service closes with a reading of the resurrection, when Jesus’ tomb is found to be empty.
On Sunday morning, we’ll begin our resurrection celebration at 7:00 A.M. in Wasser Chapel. After worship, everyone is welcome to enjoy pastries and coffee in the lobby. Then at 9:00 and 11:00, we’ll meet in the Sanctuary for Easter celebrations featuring a brass quartet and our marvelous choir. Between those services, the Easter Egg hunt will take place in our courtyard at 10:30 – so if you have children or grandchildren who might enjoy finding eggs and getting candy and toys that morning, be sure to bring them along!
Each year, we give away 100% of our offerings at Christmas and Easter to an organization that reflects our values and makes the world better. This year, our offering will be donated to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). The Committee on Relief is one of this country’s premier disaster relief agencies, bringing immediate help where it’s most needed in the wake of natural disasters. UMCOR is currently on the ground in Myanmar after their devastating earthquake as well as in Kentucky, Arkansas, and other places in the Southeast US dealing with floods. Because UMCOR’s operating costs are paid in full by the regular giving of local churches like ours, every penny we give on Easter will do directly to people who need it most. I hope you’ll give generously on Easter Sunday to support this important work.
It’s shaping up to be a lovely Holy Week and a glorious Easter celebration! I hope to see you at some or all of our upcoming worship.
Easter Blessings to you!
Grace and Peace,
Andy