Scripture: Mark 11:1-11
Message: Not of This World
Blessings and grace to you all!
As we turn the corner into Holy Week and our reflective and prayerful journey with Jesus into darkness I invite you all to a JOYFUL PROCESSION! Isn’t it so interesting that our darkest most confessionally sacred week of the year begins with a parade? When I was a child I remember getting two dresses for the Easter season: once for Palm Sunday and the other for Easter. I would look forward to the children’s parade where we would line up at the back of the church, palms in hand and wait for the signal to begin our walk down the center aisle, waving our palms high over head while “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” played loudly through the organ pipes. Coffee hour would be special including homemade cakes and cookies. Then we’d head directly to a grandparent’s house for a big and special dinner.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that this “parade” of palms and colts and coats laid out on the road was an act of non-violent protest deliberately planned to stir emotion in the hearts of those in power. That it was, in part, what would build the tension that called for Jesus’ arrest, conviction, and eventual crucifixion. In short, this joyful and hopeful representation was and is a very important part of our story of betrayal, fear, death, hopelessness, and the new lift that grows out of it all.
All of this is to say, join us this Sunday for this “celebration,” for the beginning of our walk with Jesus to the cross, for a reminder of from where our hope comes…OH! And for Rise Against Hunger, which will follow directly after the service!
Peace,
Cheryl
Music
Prelude: “Præludium in A-flat” Jacques Boyvin
Anthem: “Manto y Palmas” Rubèn Ruiz Avila
Meditation: “Pié Jesu” Gabriel Fauré Sung by: MinSun Im, tenor
Postlude: “Fugue on ‘Exultet’ ” Jean-François Dandrieu
Live Stream Information
We are making improvements to our sanctuary sound system and encourage you to worship with us in person. If you are not able to worship with us we continue to stream our services via Facebook and Zoom. If you experience any trouble go to our Facebook page for more information. Please share these links with your friends. Bear in mind that we cannot share the Zoom links publicly (to keep from being Zoom bombed), so please share it person to person rather than posting it on Facebook/Twitter, or other public social media. It’s fine to share the Facebook link broadly and publicly. For Zoom login information please reach out to Pastor Cheryl at cherly@newtonchurch.org
Zoom Link: UPA Sunday Morning Worship
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81334929545?pwd=S1lsRlRmSnlkTUE0cHRlWWQwWUJndz09
Meeting ID: 813 3492 9545
Facebook Livestream Link: https://www.facebook.com/upanewtonma/live