WALK TO JERUSALEM - WE MADE IT!

Oh what a day!

I know, it was Passion Sunday on the liturgical calendar - but I refuse to go there;  I think 'they' (whoever is they???) changed the day because fewer and fewer churches still hold Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and Easter vigils - so they get the longest Gospel lesson on record and do the whole Holy Week in one service.  what a shame.  well at PoP I only "do" Palm Sunday on Palm Sunday.  Had confirmation at the first service - only one confirmand this year - 2nd time in 36 years that has happened.  but what a day it was.  Bryan's dad was diagnosed with colon cancer last year in March, the cancer metastasized to his liver, stage 4 - but went through a 1/2 liver removal about a month ago and has been declared cancer free.  That's the background for Bryan.  Every year I have the kids write their faith statement and Bryan's also dealt with his dad's cancer.  His conf. verse was Joshua 1:9 and he described his feelings over the past year in his faith 'struggles'.  He described a marvelous "walk".  For the sermon I decided to try a different track, I wrote a letter from Jesus - and "read" it to him rather face-to-face - I sat on a stool in front of him and looked him in the eye.  It was fun!  The sermon (already posted on the website) is called "Dear Bryan."   Short sermon - ?less than 10 minutes - well, short for me!

Then came 2nd service.  We finished out congregational virtual walk to Jerusalem, so we decorated the church like Jerusalem.  At both services we start out in the hallway; hear the Gospel; share some dialog and march into the sanctuary.  It looked like:

front door upon entrance

front of sanctuary: Jerusalem

rear of sanctuary - the Temple (on balcony facade)

and the World Map and "Bon Voyage" to

keep up with the miles on a weekly basis ...

had fun with this sermon, too - it's already posted - called "Hosanna! Save Us!"  enjoyed the word Hosanna - "save now, O Lord".  I think we have made it a word of praise, rather than a word of 'beggance'  - if you listen, you'll hear what I mean.

we had a pot-luck dinner after 2nd service, Karina made Matzah Ball soup -  how fun; others made those famous Jewish casseroles - ham and cheese!  and lasagna! and baked beans with pork sausage!  then handed out the prizes for youngest/oldest etc. 

also had some neat pictures from Jerusalem; another member, Andy, was in Israel until Friday and had sent his wife some pics of the area; she forwarded them to the church and I included them as part of the procession (with PowerPoint) as the people entered the church.

Wednesday nite is a great interactive display for families/kids.  We go to the gym and have 8 stations of Holy Week set up -  a special meal (grape juice and matzah) to remember the Lord's supper; opportunity to wash each other's feet; we bring in some sod and let the kids walk barefoot in the "garden"; then they can "try on" the robe and scepter and crown of thorns (not real);  then they nail their "sins" to a cross; then taste the vinegar to stifle the thirst; then visit the tomb; and check out the butterflies for the Easter promise.  we did it 4 years ago and thought it was time to redo it.  the kid and their parents have a brief prayer/Q&A at each station - members "man" the stations ... I'll be modeling washing feet for those who choose to wash another's feet.  great way to get the Holy week message to our pre-school families.

then get ready for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday - and Easter.

will be more than ready to head east the following week.

love ya all!

K & D