Here’s what’s happening in worship this week.
Worship Services
Palm & Passion Sunday Journey Worship | Sunday, at 8:45 am
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our theme this month is Power. Pastor Patrice will preach, and we will receive the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.
Palm & Passion Sunday Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, at 11 am
As we observe Palm & Passion Sunday, Pastor Randy will lead worship in which a reading from the gospel about the final days of Jesus’ life will be included in the service. We also will receive the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.
Taizé Stations of the Cross | Wednesday, at 7 pm
We will offer a special Stations of the Cross Taizé service, led by the Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan. Join us for this powerful prayer experience as we process with Jesus from the chamber with his friends to the Garden of Gethsemane, from the halls of Pontius Pilate to Golgatha, and into the tomb. Each step of the journey will be accompanied by scripture, prayer, and haunting Taizé chants. Please note that we will process from the Chapel to the Courtyard (weather permitting) to the Sanctuary and back to the Chapel. The procession is wheelchair accessible. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer.
Maundy Thursday | Thurs., March 24, at 7 pm
Communion service recalling Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. The Rev. Heather Schoenewolf will preach.
Good Friday | Fri., March 25, at 12 pm and 7 pm
The 12 pm service will be held in the Chapel and will include hearing again the Seven Last Words spoken by Jesus Christ on the cross, led by Pastor Patrice. The 7 pm service will be held in the Sanctuary and will be led by Pastor Heather. It will feature Lenten hymns, and readings of both the seven “I Am” statements made by Christ, as well as a compilation of seven “I Am Not” statements made by Christ’s adversaries as recorded in John 18 and 19.
Easter Vigil | Sat., March 26, at 7 pm
This historic service begins in the Chapel with a time of reflection and reaffirmation of our baptismal vows. It then moves by procession into the Narthex and Sanctuary, culminating in the celebration of the first Holy Communion of the Easter season. The Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan will lead this processing Vigil.
Easter Sunday Journey Worship | Sun., March 27, at 8:45 am
The Rev. Heather Schoenewolf will preach at this week’s service in the Social Hall. Our theme this month is Power.
Easter Sunday Sanctuary Worship | Sun., March 27, at 11 am
Our Sanctuary service will be preceded by special music beginning at 10:45 am, with the Rev. Dr. Randy Bush preaching.
Christian Education Classes
We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays from 9:45–10:45 am. Click the links for adult class descriptions and children and youth offerings.
Contemporaries | Second Floor Parlor
Atonement—Did Jesus Have to Die for Our Sins?
The reasons for Jesus’ death remain a difficult theological question. Dr. John Burgess discuss several different views.
Journey With Scripture | Second Floor Library
“In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us”—2 Corinthians 5:19. Come join us for March’s Lenten readings, culminating in Easter, to reflect on the unbounded forgiveness of God and to know our own forgiveness so we can forgive others. This is our core happiness, integrity, and daily prayer. Happy Easter!
This week, Mark Blank will lead us. Our readings are Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29; Luke 19:28–40; Isaiah 50:4–9a; Psalm 31:9–16; Philippians 2:5–11; and Luke 22:14–23:56.
Seekers | Room 234
The Unsettling Logic of the Resurrection
Pastor Randy will examine essays from God and the Philosophers and other resources. We will discuss how the faith proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead moves people to fresh questions and challenging answers related to life in modern society today.
Soul Food | Third Floor Music Room
This week, Joe Hajdu, Steve Evrard, and Barb Fotta will lead us as we conclude our discussion of chapter 11 of An Altar in the World, by Barbara Brown Taylor.