News
Dear Congregation,
As I write this, we're more than half-way through the season of Lent. It has gone by quickly as it always does. Before we know it we'll be waving palms, enjoying Maunday Thursday soup supper together and sharing communion around the Fellowship Hall tables. Then we'll walk upstairs to the sanctuary to worship in the Tenebrae service, remembering the passion of Holy Week in music, scripture readings, and with the extinguishing of candles.
On Good Friday, I invite you to spend some time remembering Jesus' suffering and death on the cross and praying for all who continue to suffer in this world. On Holy Saturday, notice the feeling of emptiness, even in the hustle and bustle of Easter preparations, for that day reminds us of the in-between time when the world thought Jesus was dead and gone. Then on Easter Sunday, join your St. Peter's UCC church family to celebrate Christ's resurrection together at the 7 a.m. Sunrise Service led by our youth at Buss pond, followed by breakfast at the church, then a joyous Easter worship service with Holy Communion.
This is a very special time in the life of the church. It can be a time to feed your spirit and grow in your faith when you allow yourself to participate fully in it. No matter how many Holy Weeks you've lived through, it's important to accompany Christ in spirit through that last week. One cannot fully taste the joy of resurrection unless one has experienced the despair of his death.
In this early spring weather we've been enjoying, we see evidence of nature's resurrection all around us. May the assurance that resurrection is indeed possible in our own lives and the life of St. Peter's UCC comfort, sustain, and inspire us with God-given springtime hope.
Easter blessings (in advance!)
Pastor Candy Posted on March 31, 2012
As I write this, we're more than half-way through the season of Lent. It has gone by quickly as it always does. Before we know it we'll be waving palms, enjoying Maunday Thursday soup supper together and sharing communion around the Fellowship Hall tables. Then we'll walk upstairs to the sanctuary to worship in the Tenebrae service, remembering the passion of Holy Week in music, scripture readings, and with the extinguishing of candles.
On Good Friday, I invite you to spend some time remembering Jesus' suffering and death on the cross and praying for all who continue to suffer in this world. On Holy Saturday, notice the feeling of emptiness, even in the hustle and bustle of Easter preparations, for that day reminds us of the in-between time when the world thought Jesus was dead and gone. Then on Easter Sunday, join your St. Peter's UCC church family to celebrate Christ's resurrection together at the 7 a.m. Sunrise Service led by our youth at Buss pond, followed by breakfast at the church, then a joyous Easter worship service with Holy Communion.
This is a very special time in the life of the church. It can be a time to feed your spirit and grow in your faith when you allow yourself to participate fully in it. No matter how many Holy Weeks you've lived through, it's important to accompany Christ in spirit through that last week. One cannot fully taste the joy of resurrection unless one has experienced the despair of his death.
In this early spring weather we've been enjoying, we see evidence of nature's resurrection all around us. May the assurance that resurrection is indeed possible in our own lives and the life of St. Peter's UCC comfort, sustain, and inspire us with God-given springtime hope.
Easter blessings (in advance!)
Pastor Candy Posted on March 31, 2012