Maundy Thursday
The day before Good Friday is called Maundy Thursday. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means “commandment.” In the gospel of John, Jesus makes this statement during the Last Supper: “I am with you only a little longer. … I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:33-35, NRSV).
Maundy Thursday should always be a time of sharing with others, showing loving concern for one another, and partaking of Holy Communion. That is what the Lord asked of his disciples and asks of us.
Good Friday?
At first glance, Good Friday appears to be a misnomer. It seems inconsistent that the day of Christ’s crucifixion should in any way be described as “good.” But that seeming inconsistency vanishes when we understand that the ancient meaning of good was “holy.” The word holy is entirely consistent with the suffering and cross that Christ endured for us. Hence, Good Friday is also known as Holy Friday.
Holy Saturday
What’s compelling about Holy Saturday for me is that Jesus’ disciples surely descended into their own kind of hell — one to which anyone who has lost a loved one to death can relate. Death’s finality and wrenching silence strike fear in us. The silence of Holy Saturday reminds us powerfully that death isn’t something to be circumvented or avoided. The truth is that we need to go through a Saturday of death, recognizing its power, before we can realize the power of a Sunday of resurrection, when death is defeated.
—Bob Kaylor, Homiletics
Weep no more!
In John 20:13-15 (NRSV), the same question is repeated twice. The angels ask Mary, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (verse 13). And then Jesus asks Mary, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (verse 15). On Easter Sunday, perhaps it’s still the question before us: “Why are we weeping?” Why is there still such anguish in the world? Why are we laboring on, burdened and living as though there has been no resurrection? Weep no more! Christ has
Announcements
Sunday School – 8:30 AM in the Community Building
Choir Practice Every Wednesday at 4:00pm
You may reach Pastor Joe at 570-465-7303 or his cell #570-267-4570
Sunday, April 6 – Fifth Sunday in Lent
Saturday, April 12 – “Clean Up Day” – starting at 9am, bring your tools. Alternate date, in case winter is still here, is Saturday, May 10th.
Sunday, April 13 – Palm Sunday
Sunday, April 13 – Session meeting following Worship service.
Thursday, April 17 – Maundy Thursday
Friday, April 18 – Good Friday
Saturday, April 19 – Holy Saturday
Saturday, April 19 – Family Supper is canceled, because of Easter Sunday
Saturday, April 19 – 10am to 2pm in the Community Building – Presbyterian Women – Mary Kay
open house – benfits the Womens Resource Center.
Sunday, April 20 – Happy Easter!!! – Sunrise Service at the White’s home (time to be announced),
breakfast in the Community Building at 8:00am and Church Service at 9:30am.
Tuesday, April 29 – Newsletter Deadline
Pastor Joe will be coming to choir practice on Wed. afternoons and stay afterward for anyone who would like to meet with him. It would be best to call or e-mail to make arrangements.
Past and present Elders are needed to be Worship Leaders to do the Welcome, Announcements and Call to Worship. Please see Joyce to sign up. Also Liturgists are needed – Bill will be circulating – be ready!!!