Week of Palm Sunday, March 25, 2018

Dear Friends,
We are now on the cusp of Holy Week—the one week in history that truly changed the cosmos! Pray that our Lenten journey has prepared us to reflect more deeply on the mystery of salvation so that we may embrace more fully the new creation it offers to us.
Before I remind us of the schedule for Holy Week, let me give some pastoral news:
First, Hank Thompson continues to recover from his recent surgery and expects to return home tomorrow (Friday).  Hank’s surgery took place on Ash Wednesday, so he has literally spent Lent ‘living-into-his-new-heart’! We rejoice at God’s goodness to him and continue to pray for his full restoration.
Second, Charlie Watkins has completed his chemo-therapy treatment and now awaits a final scan to determine its results. Continue to pray for he and Blythe as they await – with hope—the news.
Third, while we rejoice in Hank’s and Charlie’s news, I need to ask for your prayers for Delbra Moore and her family. Delbra (and her daughter Valerie) have been worshiping with us for the past year and a half. During that time Delbra has been dealing with a serious recurring illness, lately necessitating trips to Richmond for treatment. On Monday, as she was returning from Richmond, she received news that her house was on fire! When she finally arrived, she discovered that the family had lost everything.
Please hold up Delbra and her family in your prayers. As any particular needs become known to us we will pass them along to you.

Holy Week at Christ the Redeemer:

Passion Sunday, with Palm Procession:  We gather in the Fellowship Hall at 10:00 am preparing to ‘remember’ the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. We will begin the Liturgy at 10:15 sharp so please make a special effort to be present and centered, ready for worship.
(Please note: We will need some help following the service to take down the banners in the Sanctuary)
Maundy Thursday, with Dinner and Foot Washing: Thursday, March 29 at 6;00 pm.  We gather in the ‘Upper Room’ to remember that fateful Passover meal that Jesus transformed into the New Covenant Feast!  Following the Foot Washing we will process into the sanctuary and celebrate the Feast, and end the evening in ‘Gethsemene’, stripped down and ready for Good Friday.
(Please RSVP by Sunday, March 25 to aid those who are preparing for the meal.) If you did not receive a Survey Monkey email, let Amy know: ctrsec@gmail.com.
Good Friday, Friday, March 30 at 6:00 pm. We gather in the starkness and the silence of the sanctuary to reflect on John’s Passion and to pray to the God ‘who loved the world’ in this way; loved it into its fulfillment according to his mysterious and gracious will.
Holy Saturday, Saturday, March 30 is a day of quiet and of preparation.
We need some help to set up the Sanctuary for Sunday morning (We gather at 9:00 am for Morning Prayer)
‘First Communion Preparation’ takes place from 10:00 am to noon.
Easter Day, The Day of Resurrection, Sunday April 1 at 10:15 am. The Apostle Paul speaks about the ‘secret and hidden wisdom of God’, that had the ‘powers and principalities of this age had understood ‘they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.’ The Day of Resurrection is the ultimate ‘April Fool’s Day’ for the powers of evil and death.
I look forward to participating in Holy Week with all of you.