2021 EVENTS
APRIL
NIGHTLY 7:15PM – 8:00PM
DIAL IN: (571) 312-3122 Access Code 811-440-813#
SUNDAY – PALM SUNDAY
“The Triumphant Entrance”
Our celebration of Holy Week began Sunday as we remembered and made present the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem to begin his final week and initiate his Passion. All four Gospels recount this triumphant entry that Sunday morning so long ago, but made present to us on this day. As you received your palms, I hope you considered that you are part of that vast crowd. How will you journey with Jesus this week? Let the palm remind you to praise him with your prayerful presence during the sacred time. According to Mark 11:11, Jesus returned that evening to Bethany, a suburb of Jerusalem. Perhaps he stayed with his friends Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.
Pray with Jesus as he considers the difficult days ahead of him.
DIAL IN: (571) 312-3122 Access Code 811-440-813#
SUNDAY – PALM SUNDAY
“The Triumphant Entrance”
Our celebration of Holy Week began Sunday as we remembered and made present the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem to begin his final week and initiate his Passion. All four Gospels recount this triumphant entry that Sunday morning so long ago, but made present to us on this day. As you received your palms, I hope you considered that you are part of that vast crowd. How will you journey with Jesus this week? Let the palm remind you to praise him with your prayerful presence during the sacred time. According to Mark 11:11, Jesus returned that evening to Bethany, a suburb of Jerusalem. Perhaps he stayed with his friends Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.
Pray with Jesus as he considers the difficult days ahead of him.
NDAY – A Day of Fasting and Praying
(Fasting 6:00am – 6:00pm)
“Jesus cleanses the temple”
Monday of Holy Week: According to Matthew 21, Mark 11, and Luke 19, Jesus returns to Jerusalem today and, seeing shameful practices in the Temple area, he cleanses the Temple. John’s Gospel also records that he rebuked the unbelief of the crowds. Mark 11:19 records that he returned to Bethany that night.
Pray with Jesus as he is zealous to purify us.
(Fasting 6:00am – 6:00pm)
“Jesus cleanses the temple”
Monday of Holy Week: According to Matthew 21, Mark 11, and Luke 19, Jesus returns to Jerusalem today and, seeing shameful practices in the Temple area, he cleanses the Temple. John’s Gospel also records that he rebuked the unbelief of the crowds. Mark 11:19 records that he returned to Bethany that night.
Pray with Jesus as he is zealous to purify us.
UESDAY – Reflection
“Jesus’ Authority is Questioned”
Tuesday of Holy Week: According to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus again returns to Jerusalem where he is confronted by the Temple leadership for what he did the day before. They question his authority. He also teaches extensively, using parables and other forms. There is the parable of the vineyard (Mt 21:33-46) and the parable of the wedding banquet, (Mt. 22:1). There is also the teaching on paying taxes (Mt 22:15) and the rebuke of the Sadducees who deny the resurrection (Mt. 22:23). There is also the fearful prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem if the inhabitants do not come to faith in him. He warns that not one stone will be left on another (Mt 24).
Continue to pray with Jesus and listen carefully to his final teachings before his passion.
“Jesus’ Authority is Questioned”
Tuesday of Holy Week: According to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus again returns to Jerusalem where he is confronted by the Temple leadership for what he did the day before. They question his authority. He also teaches extensively, using parables and other forms. There is the parable of the vineyard (Mt 21:33-46) and the parable of the wedding banquet, (Mt. 22:1). There is also the teaching on paying taxes (Mt 22:15) and the rebuke of the Sadducees who deny the resurrection (Mt. 22:23). There is also the fearful prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem if the inhabitants do not come to faith in him. He warns that not one stone will be left on another (Mt 24).
Continue to pray with Jesus and listen carefully to his final teachings before his passion.
DNESDAY – “Jesus Anointed”
“Alabaster Box”
Wednesday of Holy Week: Traditionally this day was called "Spy Wednesday" because it was on this Wednesday before the crucifixion that Judas conspired to hand Jesus over. For this he was paid 30 pieces of silver (Mt. 26:14). Jesus likely spent the day in Bethany. In the evening, Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus with costly perfumed oil. Judas objects but Jesus rebukes him and says Mary has anointed him for his burial!
(Mt 26:6). The wicked are besetting Jesus and plotting against him.
Are you praying?
“Alabaster Box”
Wednesday of Holy Week: Traditionally this day was called "Spy Wednesday" because it was on this Wednesday before the crucifixion that Judas conspired to hand Jesus over. For this he was paid 30 pieces of silver (Mt. 26:14). Jesus likely spent the day in Bethany. In the evening, Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus with costly perfumed oil. Judas objects but Jesus rebukes him and says Mary has anointed him for his burial!
(Mt 26:6). The wicked are besetting Jesus and plotting against him.
Are you praying?
|
THURSDAY – MAUNDAY THURSDAY
“The Last Supper" Holy Thursday: This marks the beginning of the sacred Triduum, or "three days." Earlier this day Jesus had given instructions to the disciples on how to prepare for this most holy meal, which will be his last supper. Through the day they make these preparations (Mt 26:17). In Holy Communion of the Lord’s Supper, (with our bread and juice) we remember and make present that Last Supper which Jesus shared with his disciples. We are in the upper room with Jesus and the Apostles and do what they did. Through the ritual of washing the feet (Jn 13:1), we unite in service to one another. *We will have “foot washing” on tonight, so prepare your basin, water, towel and spirit. After the Last Supper, the apostles and Jesus made a short journey across the Kidron Valley to the Garden, where he asks them to pray and he experiences his agony (Mt 26:30). We too, will kneel with Jesus as in the garden. We are with Jesus in the Garden and pray as he goes through his agony. It was near Midnight that Jesus was betrayed by Judas, was arrested and taken to the house of the High Priest (Mt. 26:47). Let Us. Pray.. |
FRIDAY – “GOOD FRIDAY”
“Seven Last Words”
Good Friday: All through the night Jesus has been locked in the dungeon of the high priest’s house. Early this morning he was bought before Pilate who transferred his case to Herod. Herod sent him back to Pilate who, sometime in the mid-morning, bowed to the pressure of the Temple leadership and the crowds, and condemned Jesus to a horrible death by crucifixion.
In the late morning Jesus was taken by the soldiers through the city and up the hillside of Golgotha. By noon he is nailed to the cross where he hangs in agony for some three hours. He dies around three in the afternoon. He is taken down from the cross and placed in the tomb hastily before sundown. Today is a day of prayer, fasting and abstinence. Whenever possible, Christians are urged to keep today free of work, of social engagements, of entertainment, and to devote themselves to communal prayer and worship.
7:15pm As we gather for stations of the cross to remember the 3 p.m., hour of Jesus' death and for recollections of the seven last words of Jesus.
Afterwards… let us enter into a time of prayer as we reflect on Jesus' death on the cross. We also pray for the needs of the world. To acknowledge the power of the cross in our lives today. Consider, how the apostles might have gathered that night together in fear and prayer reflecting on all that happened.
“Seven Last Words”
Good Friday: All through the night Jesus has been locked in the dungeon of the high priest’s house. Early this morning he was bought before Pilate who transferred his case to Herod. Herod sent him back to Pilate who, sometime in the mid-morning, bowed to the pressure of the Temple leadership and the crowds, and condemned Jesus to a horrible death by crucifixion.
In the late morning Jesus was taken by the soldiers through the city and up the hillside of Golgotha. By noon he is nailed to the cross where he hangs in agony for some three hours. He dies around three in the afternoon. He is taken down from the cross and placed in the tomb hastily before sundown. Today is a day of prayer, fasting and abstinence. Whenever possible, Christians are urged to keep today free of work, of social engagements, of entertainment, and to devote themselves to communal prayer and worship.
7:15pm As we gather for stations of the cross to remember the 3 p.m., hour of Jesus' death and for recollections of the seven last words of Jesus.
Afterwards… let us enter into a time of prayer as we reflect on Jesus' death on the cross. We also pray for the needs of the world. To acknowledge the power of the cross in our lives today. Consider, how the apostles might have gathered that night together in fear and prayer reflecting on all that happened.
SATURDAY – “Waiting…”
Holy Saturday: The body of Jesus is in the tomb, but His soul is among the dead to announce the kingdom. The hour is coming, and now is when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will live (John 5:25). Consider what it must have been like for the dead in Sheol to awaken to the voice of Jesus!
Meanwhile, the Disciples, heartbroken at the death of Jesus, observed the Jewish Sabbath in sorrow. They had forgotten the promise of Jesus that He would rise. We cannot forget His promise. We cannot forget. Tonight, as we Gather after sundown…
Holy Saturday: The body of Jesus is in the tomb, but His soul is among the dead to announce the kingdom. The hour is coming, and now is when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will live (John 5:25). Consider what it must have been like for the dead in Sheol to awaken to the voice of Jesus!
Meanwhile, the Disciples, heartbroken at the death of Jesus, observed the Jewish Sabbath in sorrow. They had forgotten the promise of Jesus that He would rise. We cannot forget His promise. We cannot forget. Tonight, as we Gather after sundown…
|
SUNDAY – “RESURRECTION"
WAITING for dawn… as we gather at 5:45am for the Great Easter Vigil where we will experience Jesus rising from the dead. We gather in darkness and light the Easter fire which reminds us that Jesus is light in the darkness. He is the light of the world. 11:30am - We will dial-in (712) 451-0200 Access Code: 256483# then enter into Worship and prepare to hear of God’s saving work of the past. Suddenly… the Glorious Songs are sung as we celebrate the moment of Christ’s resurrection. |
He Lives!
In the joy of the resurrection, we then celebrate and usher in an
Easter Joy that Never Ends!
In the joy of the resurrection, we then celebrate and usher in an
Easter Joy that Never Ends!
MARCH
PALM SUNDAY
March 28th
March 28th
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
JANUARY
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance
January 15 – 18, 2021
Don’t Be Distracted
The Dream still lives on…
Psalm 27:12-14
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
January 15 – 18, 2021
Don’t Be Distracted
The Dream still lives on…
Psalm 27:12-14
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
