The Communique | April 2019

Communique | April 2019 | Easter Edition

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Easter Services and Holy Week
All Church Announcements
Children/Family Ministry
Congregational Life
Discipleship
Music Ministry
Service and Outreach
Finance Committee
Stewardship Committee
Trustees
Youth Ministry
Worship Ministry
Volunteers
Contact Info
Advertisers
FB Page

And more!

CUMC WEEKLY ACTIVITIES - REGULAR SCHEDULE:

Sundays:

8am: Chapel Worship
10am: Sanctuary Worship and Sunday School
~11am: Social Hour
4-7pm: Youth Group

Mondays:

9:30am: Women's Bible Study
12:15pm: Senior Brown Bag (2 times per month)

Tuesdays:

5:30pm: Bell Choir Practice (Rescheduled until 4/23)
6:30: Kairos Practice

Wednesdays:

10am: Pastor's Bible Study
7pm: Adult Study Group

Thursdays:

6:30am: Men's Bible Study
7:30pm: Chancel Choir Practice
9-9:30: Men in Black

Holy Week, Easter and Spring Break Schedule at CUMC

Palm Sunday: 4/14
Maundy Thursday - Good Friday Vigil: 4/18-4/19 in the Chapel (Contact Gail Erwin for info: gailerv@comcast.net).
Maundy Thursday Worship Service: Come for Communion and hand washing in the historic Chapel on Maundy Thursday, 4/18 at 7pm.
Easter Egg Hunt and Party: Saturday, 4/20 at 10am in the Social Hall. (Volunteers are needed, contact Amber: children@cumc-hmb.com).
Easter Church Services on 4/21:
Sunrise Service, 6:15am, at Our Lady of the Pillar Cemetery (980 Miramontes)
10am Service in the Sanctuary (with Sunday School for pre-k and elementary schoolers)
Please note there will not be an 8am service in the Chapel on Easter Sunday
Easter Breakfast: Served Sunday, 4/21, from 7am-12pm in the Social Hall. (Chefs are needed, contact Ginny: ginny@cumc-hmb.com).
Easter Chapel: Meditation, reflection and self-serve Communion available in the historic Chapel all morning on Easter.
Easter Flowers: $10 to purchase a flower pot to decorate the church for Easter. You may take it home after. Locate the order form in the Sunday bulletin.
Floral Easter Cross: Bring flowers from your garden to decorate the Cross in the Courtyard on Easter morning.
Church Office: The Church Office is closed on Easter Monday, 4/22.
Updated Youth Group Schedule: Youth Group will not be held 4/14 or 4/21 due to Easter and Spring Break.
Updated Sunday School and Church Schedule: There will only be the 8am Worship Service on Dream Machines Sunday, 4/28. No 10am service or Sunday School - enjoy the day!
Modified Bells Schedule: The next two Bells of Joy rehearsals will be on Thursday, 4/11 and 4/18 with the vocal choir.

Invite friends and family to join you on Easter by sharing our Easter event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/395524981284969/

All Church Announcements

CUMC Committee in Response to the Special General Conference Vote

In response to the world-wide Methodist Church’s vote in the recent Special General Conference to exclude the LGBTQIA population from membership and the sacraments in the Methodist Church, CUMC’s Church Council is forming a committee to explore our options.

One option is to become a Reconciling Church , meaning a church seeking the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in both the policy and practices of the United Methodist Church.

Another option is to begin a chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). CUMC’s committee will consist of individuals interested in meeting, learning, praying, and discussing these options. The committee will then present our congregation with their findings and recommendations. Our church as a whole will vote on whether to proceed with all, none, or some of our options.

If you are interested in being part of this committee, please contact Bonnie Okonek , Church Council Chair ( okonek@mac.com or 650-726-7117). We have 2 members so far. Ideally, committee members will be a cross section of our church: a variety of ages, opinions, and backgrounds. The only requirement is that you have an interest in helping to define what kind of church we want to be.

Invitation: Eagle Scout Court of Honor

The entire congregation is cordially invited to Micah Warner-Carey and John Helminger's Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

The event is Sunday, 4/7 at 1:30pm in the Chapel followed by reception in the Social Hall.

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Easter Office Schedule

Please note that the church office will be closed on Easter Monday, 4/22.

Save the Date for Coastside Gives - May 2nd

CUMC is an official Coastside Gives non-profit!

Coastside Gives brings the Coastside together as one community, raising money and awareness for our local nonprofits during the 24-hour online giving challenge.

Donate to CUMC and other local non-profits on on May 2nd. Keep your eye out for more information as the event gets closer.

Children and Family Ministry

Sunday School

Sunday School for Preschool – 5th Graders:

Sunday School takes place after Children’s Moment during the Sanctuary Worship Service. The Sanctuary Worship Service begins at 10:00 am and Sunday School takes place from about 10:15-11:00 am. Preschoolers and Kindergarteners are with Teacher Kathee in the San Pedro Ridge Room for a Bible Story and crafts. 1st-5th graders receive a Godly Play lesson in the King’s Mountain Room. Each week we learn a different Bible Story and get to know more about God, Jesus, and just how much we are loved!

Upcoming Sunday School Themes:

4/1: Faces of Easter (Jill K. and Kendra H.)
4/7: The Crosses (Amber R.)
4/14: Palm Sunday (Vicki) L.
4/21: Easter Sunday, Crafts, Movie and Snacks (Sunday School Volunteers still needed)
4/28: No Sunday School or 10am Worship Service due to Dream Machines

Lenten Bulletins

Join us for worship during the season of Lent (beginning March 6) and the kids will have fun in the pew with these interactive children’s bulletins.

Each colorful bulletin contains pictures to color, games, puzzles and Bible verses that focus on God’s loving plan for us.

Easter Egg Hunt and Party

Save the date for Saturday, 4/20 at 10am ! All children in the community are invited to CUMC’s annual Easter Egg Hunt . Come to the Social Hall and join us for a morning of Easter crafts, stories, face painting, snacks and an Easter Egg hunt. There will be two hunting grounds – one for little ones (preschoolers) and one for school age children. Don’t forget to bring your Easter basket!

Volunteers are needed from the church to provide pre-filled Easter eggs as well as help at the event. Check out the sign-up genius : https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C44A5AD2DA6F58-kids2

Girl Scout Troop #61952 Volunteer Project

Thank you to girl scout troop #61952 for painting the bench in the kids nursery!

Children and family ministry appreciates your time and effort to make the nursery an inviting place for young kids to play.

Congregational Life Ministry

CUMC Hiking Group

Our next hike is Saturday, 4/6 at Edgewood County Park and Nature Preserve. Meet in front of the Chapel to carpool at 8:30 a.m.

Join us for this local hike that has it all; Sweeping views of the Bay and of the Santa Cruz Mountains, canopied and open grassland trails of oaks, madrone, Douglass Fir and more, with wild flowers blooming. There are several picnic areas and an education center.

This moderate 5 mile loop hike to the wooden hill top with a 600ft. elevation gain is on well groomed trails with gentle slopes, has great signage, a few benches along the route and several information kiosks.

Following the hike we’ll dine at Flying Fish Grill at 211 San Mateo Rd. Half Moon Bay, returning about 1:30 p.m.

Please bring water for the trail and snack if you like. Wear shoes with traction, layers for all kinds of weather and sun protection.

Minors are welcome with a designated adult. Dogs are not allowed. Restrooms are near the beginning of the route.

Save the Date for Future Hikes:

May 4, Windy Hill Preserve, 5 miles on the Lost Trail, wild flowers and views. Alice’s Restaurant.
June 15, Big Basin Headquarters Waterfall Loop: Berry Creek, Silver, and Golden Falls, 11 miles, 1,900 elevation gain. All day.

CUMC Book Club

The CUMC Book Club meets on Friday 4/12 at 7:15 p.m , at Lois Murdoch's home.

This month we'll discuss Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup , by John Carreyrou . This is the story about the collapse of Theranos, the biotech startup founded by Elizabeth Holmes.

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Men's Breakfast

Come for the men's breakfast, Saturday 4/13 at 8am in the social hall and kitchen.

We cook together and eat together and have a great time. All men are welcome.

Knitting Knot

The Knitting Knot meets on the second Sunday of each month: 4/14 at 11:30am in the Social hall. The group makes scarves and hats for cancer patients and others. Use some of our needles or bring your own. All experienced knitters or those who want to learn are welcome.

Easter Breakfast

On Easter Sunday, 4/21 , breakfast will be served from 7am-12pm in the Social Hall.

There will be 2 shifts: 6-9am and 9am-12pm. Three "chefs" are needed for each shift. Please contact Ginny Cowen (ginny@cumc-hmb.com) or call the office at 650-726-4621.

CUMC's Green Team

God calls us to be good stewards of the land. We’ve looked around a bit and we think we can do a better job at CUMC to be good stewards of the amount of waste we produce and plastic we consume. So, we are forming a Green Team! Is this something you feel called to do? Then please reach out to Michelle (Shell) Cleave , CUMC church member and founder of Sea Hugger, and we will put our heads together to see how many ways we can reduce our waste at CUMC (all ages are welcome).

You will notice one change right away, CUMC is switching from disposable coffee cups to reusable cups in the Social Hall. If you have a coffee cup or travel mug, please bring it with you and take it home. We will have reusable coffee cups in the kitchen for anyone to use, but we are asking for you to please wash and return your cup to the shelf in the kitchen.

Sea Hugger welcomes you to join our Beach Cleanups the second Saturday of every month at Dunes Beach from 10:00-Noon. (Community Service hours are available to HMBHS students.) Contact Shell Cleave at shell@seahugger.org to find out more or visit www.seahugger.org .

“Be a part of the solution, not the pollution!”

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Join Our Coffee Hour Hosts!

Have you been looking for a way to serve our church family? Please consider serving as a Coffee Hour Host.

1) You will serve once every 3 months.

2) No need to bake or provide elaborate food. Sweet and savory divided among the 3 hosts always works out perfectly. Store bought items are great.

3) Coffee Hour provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere for visiting friends.

4) As a host, you are guaranteed to meet many more of our church family.

Please see Vicki at church or email her at vickibl@comcast.net to talk about it!

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Save the Date for Revival in the Redwoods!

Revival in the Redwoods has been going strong at CUMC for over 30 years! Everyone in the congregation is invited to be part of this memorable summer camp at Memorial Park. More info to come over the next few months, but in the meantime here are some important Revival dates :

Church Picnic and Camp Set-up: Sunday July 21
Counselor Camp: July 21-23rd
Revival in the Redwoods: July 23-27th
Camp Sunday at Church: July 28th

We Can Make a Difference - CUMC Retreat Article

25 people from CUMC gathered at Monte Toyon Retreat Center in Aptos on Saturday, March 2, to seek God’s guidance together, to talk about ways to help make the earth a better and healthier place, and to pray, sing, and praise God together in a beautiful redwood forest. Our Saturday program on appreciation of and care for the earth, using the elements of Light/Fire, Air, Water and Earth for inspiration, was led by Chris Warner-Carey, David Overcashier, Michelle Cleave, and Rebecca Ellis. Read Psalm 104 to get a sense of the wonder and majesty of God’s amazing creation.

On Friday evening we talked at length about the actions of the UMC General Conference regarding the LGBTIQ population. Pastor Lisa led the discussion. It was a small group of about 12 people so we were able to ask questions and share together in a meaningful way. The church retreat allows for meaningful times like these.

In addition to Saturday’s program, we completed 3 large puzzles (it was raining outside), ventured out to hike up the nearby hillside, played a couple of competitive Scrabble games, did a few crafts, shared our talents in a fun talent show, roasted marshmallows at the fireplace, and ate delicious food prepared by the center staff; all the while getting to know each other better and remembering what it’s like to feel like children of God. On Sunday we learned about healing with prayer-guided human touch from Hugh Bowen. All in all it was a very enjoyable time.

Thank you to all who helped make the 2019 retreat happen! The planning crew were Lois Murdoch, Penny O’Neal, Jill Kuendig, Patty Bartscher, led by Rebecca Ellis.

Approximately half of the group spent at least one night at the retreat center. The other half participated on Saturday only. Participants were invited to choose how long they wanted to be at the center, with the option of coming Friday evening and staying through lunch on Sunday, or coming for any part of the weekend. This was appreciated by all who came, and will be an option for next year’s retreat.

Save the first weekend of March in 2020 for the CUMC 2020 Retreat, and plan on attending. You’ll be glad you did.

April Hike Report - CUMC Retreat

A hike designed for all levels at the Monte Toyon retreat gathered 15 willing to brave the wet trails.

First we climbed to the Rhododendron Garden with a pond and viewing deck. The flowers were sparse, but very large and brilliant. We continued along the wide well drained trail to Freaky Fred, a very big spiky tree.

7 hikers returned and then 6 adventures continued to Grandpa Tree and Mother of the Forest where you can climb the very wide cut or hide in hollowed trunks. As the trail ascended and narrowed we rested at the Eric Swanson Outdoor Classroom.

We saw very little poison oak on this misty cool afternoon, but we did see a deer heading toward us on the trail. At mile one a few went up to Eagles View to report: FOG.

The hike got muddier on the way down as we traversed a river through the trail back to our cozy fireplace and snacks at the retreat.

Discipleship Ministry

Women's Bible Study - Monthly Ladies' Luncheon

Attend the woman's bible study on Monday, 4/1 and stay for the monthly Ladies' Luncheon! It's a potluck - please bring something yummy to share. Bible study starts at 9:30 and the luncheon is after (about 11:30am).

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GEMS

The next GEMS (God's Energetic Messengers) meeting and Potluck is Monday, 4/29 at 6pm in the Social Hall. Program to be announced.

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Wednesday Night Study Group - The Gospel of Mark

Wednesdays from 7-9pm in Sweeney Ridge.

Join Dr. Paul McReynolds in a 13-week study using his commentary on the Gospel of Mark. Paul will distribute the book to interested parties - please let him know if you'd like a copy.

Drop-ins are welcome!

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A Word from Paul

ψυχη = psyche = soul

We have many words in English that begin with psych: In the New Testament this word is most commonly translated as “soul” or “life”. This is a case where the context of the Greek word should determine its meaning. Mark 10:45 refers to Jesus giving his ψυχη as a ransom for many referring to his death on the cross. But this would not mean what we commonly call the soul. In fact, most of the Biblical passages could use the word for life which means more than simply physical life. The Greeks had another word for life meaning physical life, ζωη refers to “animal” life. We derive the word zoo from this Greek word. So the Greek word ψυχη means the whole of a person and not simply physical life. Luke 12:23 is a good example of the meaning of soul though the translators have used the term life. “For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing”.

Communion In Your Home

Dr. Paul McReynolds is available to bring communion to you. Contact Ginny, Pastor Paul or Pastor Lisa at 726-4621 to arrange this visit.

Music Ministry Notes

Music Practice

Bell Choir: Tuesdays from 5:30-7pm in the choir room *See special Schedule for April below*
Chancel Choir: Thursdays from 7:30-9pm in the choir room
Kairos: Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30pm
Men in Black: 1st and 3rd Thursdays a month from 9-9:30pm

Updated Bells Schedule for April

The next two Bells of Joy rehearsals will be on Thursday, 4/11 and 4/18 with the vocal choir. We will practice Easter Song with them at 8:00 p.m. Please come a little earlier than that to get the bells out.

The next Tuesday night rehearsal will be the Tuesday night after Easter, that is, April 23 at our usual 5:45ish time to prepare for playing on May 19.

Musical Odyssey - Dances Around the World

Please save the date for our next Musical Odyssey adventure: Dances from Around the World! The piano duo will be performed by Amy Zanrosso and Irina Behrendt (piano) on Sunday, 5/5 at 1pm.

We always need help with ushering, reception, and clean up. Please contact Patty Bartcher if you would like to give us a hand (or cookies!).

Seeking Choir Members

Anyone want to join choir?

Singing is first and foremost an activity, and it's another form of worship. Even if you've never sung before but are interested, this is a fun way to learn. Music Director Mark Fish, and the welcoming choir members, would love to have you on board.

Men In Black, which is the only church men's choir in Half Moon Bay, is especially seeking members.

Chancel Choir (which includes both men and women) meets on Tuesday nights from 7:30-8:45, and Men in Black meets right afterwards from 8:45-9:30pm.

Please contact Mark Fish markericfish@gmail.com for more information.

Hymn Notes: Arise, My Love

Not a word was heard at the tomb that day

Just shuffling soldiers' feet as they guarded the grave

One day, two days, three days had past

Could it be that Jesus breathed His last?

Could it be that His Father had forsaken Him?

Turned His back on His son, despising our sin

All hell seemed to whisper, "just forget Him, He's dead"

Then the Father looked down to His Son and He said...

Arise, My love, arise, My love

The grave no longer has a hold on you

No more death's sting, no more suffering

Arise, arise, my love!

The Earth trembled and the tomb began to shake

and like lightening From Heaven, the stone was rolled away

And as dead man, the guards they all stood there in fright

As the power of love displayed its might

Then suddenly a melody filled the air

Riding wings of wind, it was everywhere

The words all creation had been longing to hear

The sweet sound of victory, so loud and clear

Arise, My love, arise, My love

The grave no longer has a hold on you

No more death's sting, no more suffering

Arise, arise...

Sin, where are your shackles?

Death, where is your sting?

Hell has been defeated

The grave could not hold the King

Arise, My love, arise, My love

The grave no longer has a hold on you

No more death's sting, no more suffering

Arise, arise, arise!

Eddie Carswell, 1982

Hymn Tune: Arise, My Love

Eddie Carswell is a contemporary musician. He was probably born sometime in the 1960s.

In 1981, Eddie formed a Christian music group called NewSong. He formed it with several of his friends at Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, GA. The four founding members were Billy Goodwin, Eddie Middleton, and Bobby Apon.

--- Kathee Tyson

Service and Outreach Ministry

Senior Brown Bag Food Giveaway

We continue to support Coastside Hope with the Brown Bag food giveaway for seniors. Generally it is the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month: 4/8 and 4/22 . Meet at 12:15pm in the Oceanside Community room to distribute food. Contact Don Carruth for more info and/or directions (726-5637).

Finance Committee

Giving Made Easy - Mobile Phone App

Giving to a church can present a number of conundrums to some people. Should I pledge? Should I tithe? What’s the difference? Whoops, here comes the offering plate, and I forgot my checkbook…… and on, and on.

You may or may not know that, here at CUMC, we have been set up for some time now, to be able to take Credit Card donations. Yes, you can donate to the Church…….. AND, get points! :)

Okay, you might have known that one, but did you know that you can get an app for your mobile phone that will let you make donations, on your credit card, in a way that is easy…. that tracks your donations,….. and gives you the mobility to react while on the run, not just Sundays at church.

The app is called GivePlus , or more specifically, Give+ . I know it is available at the Apple App Store, and I am pretty sure it is also available to Android users. Check it out. It may make your life a little easier……And, think of the Points!!

If you have any specific questions, give Stacey, our Bookkeeper, a call in the office: 650-726-4621

Stewardship Committee

A Request for Pictures

If you have photos of our church family giving of their time or talents to others, the Stewardship Committee would love to see them and possibly use them in our upcoming Stewardship Campaign. For example, photos of our teens working at Sierra Service Project, church members working at the Trustees' work day, volunteers picking up trash from the beach or tutoring children. Please email your photos to news@cumc-hmb.com .

Thanks so much,

Lois Murdoch and the Stewardship Committee

Stewardship: Not Just About the Money

Lent is a good time to ponder the question: What does it mean to be a good steward? How can I use my time, share my talents, and manage my money in ways pleasing to God?

At the church retreat in March we discussed ways of being better stewards of the earth, air and water. An abundance of plastic ends up on our beaches and in the ocean, so we discussed having a beach cleanup. We talked about the drastic reduction of monarch butterflies and packaged native wildflower seeds to plant to provide habitat and nourishment. We also discussed recycling at church. If you've helped in the kitchen you know many plastic products are tossed rather than being recycled. Maybe it's time to change some of our habits.

Our annual Stewardship Campaign begins May 5 . In the meantime, let's think, pray and talk about what we can do to be good stewards of what God has provided.

(See the article in the Congregational Life section above about the new Green Team forming at CUMC.)

Sincerely,

Lois Murdoch and the Stewardship Chairman

The Trustees

Trustees Work Day: 4/13

We need willing hands. As you know, our Trustees have quarterly work days to perform repair and maintenance tasks that don't require specialized skills. Tasks like cleaning up the Sanctuary, putting things away, cleaning the kitchen and vacuuming are equally important.

The Trustees have a scheduled work day on Saturday, 4/13 from 9am-3pm , but for those of you who are willing and able, special work days can be scheduled.

Please call the church office (650-726-4621), or email office@cumc-hmb.com, and put yourself on the list for a half-day of help.

Youth Ministry

Sunday School for 6th-12th Graders

Sunday School and donuts with Keri M. take place after Children's Moment during the 10am service (~10:15-11am) in the Sweeney Ridge room.

There is no Sunday School for this age group on Communion Sunday (the first Sunday of the month) and the teens are encouraged to join worship and Communion with their families.

Sunday Middle School Youth Group

Join us from 4-6 pm for small group activities with games and Bible study for youth 6th-8th grade.

Sunday High School Youth Group

Join us from 5-7 pm for fun conversations and board games, video games, and basketball. Puzzles anyone?

Spring Break Youth Group and Sunday School Schedule

Youth Group will not be held on Sunday 4/14 or 4/21 due to Spring Break and Easter.

Youth Sunday School will not be held on 4/28 due to Dream Machines (10am worship service is cancelled that day).

Sierra Service Project

We’ll be doing fundraising for the next several months

prior to our July mission trips – Easter See’s Candy ( currently on sale in the Social Hall on Sunday mornings ), stock certificates, and more!

Worship Ministry

24 Hour Vigil in the Chapel: 4/18-4/19

It is our tradition here at CUMC to have a 24 hour vigil beginning on Maundy Thursday evening, April 18th , and ending on Good Friday, April 19th . Based upon Jesus’ question to Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:40 – “Could you not watch with Me for one hour?”, the vigil is divided into one hour shifts around the clock. Gail Erwin is coordinating this event and sign up sheets are in the sanctuary and the chapel following Sunday services. Be sure to sign up for the hour that you want. Surprisingly, the wee small hours of the night are usually the first to be selected. Questions? Contact Gail Erwin.

Maundy Thursday Worship Service

Come for Communion and hand washing in the historic Chapel on Maundy Thursday, 4/18 at 7pm.

Easter Services

Easter Church Services on 4/21:
Sunrise Service, 6:15am, at Our Lady of the Pillar Cemetery (980 Miramontes)
10am Service in the Sanctuary (with Sunday School for pre-k and elementary schoolers)
Please note there will not be an 8am service in the Chapel on Easter Sunday
Easter Chapel: Meditation, reflection and self-serve Communion available in the historic Chapel all morning on Easter.
Please note there will not be an 8am service in the Chapel on Easter Sunday

Easter Flowers and Floral Cross

Flowers are needed to decorate the sanctuary and the chapel for Easter morning, 4/21 . Flowers have always been a very visible way of expressing our joy that Christ has risen. A church full of flowers on Easter morning is always a glorious sight. But to accomplish that we need your contribution.

For $10, you can purchase a potted plant in memory or honor of a loved one. The plants will be placed in the sanctuary and the chapel by Easter morning. Afterwards, you may take your plant home with you.

You can locate an order form in the weekly bulletin or in this email. Turn in your form and $10 donation to the church office or in the offering plate on Sunday morning.

Since we don’t tend to use Easter lilies due to allergy concerns, if you would like to bring an Easter lily, you may but we ask you either place it in the Narthex or outside on the courtyard.

For many years, it has been our tradition at CUMC to put up a floral cross in the courtyard on Easter morning. When filled with flowers, it makes a lovely back drop for family Easter photos. To fill the cross with flowers, we need your donations. Please bring a few cut flowers with you on Easter morning and tuck them into the cross.

Easter Flowers Order Form (print and return to church office with donation):

Modified Worship Schedule on 4/28

There will only be one worship service on Sunday, 4/28 at 8am. The 10am service is cancelled due to the increased traffic up and down HWY 1 for Dream Machines.

This also means that Sunday School will not be held on 4/28.

Use this extra time to go enjoy Dream Machines with friends and family! Maybe you'll see some fellow churchgoers there.

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Holy Week and Easter

The week before Easter is known as Holy Week . It retells the story of Jesus’ last week on earth. All four gospels --- Matthew, Mark. Luke, and John --- have accounts of this week.

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday . This year Palm Sunday is April 14 ^th . Palm Sunday is a joyful day commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Before entering the city, Jesus instructed His disciples to find a young donkey and bring the colt to Him. Jesus then entered Jerusalem mounted on the donkey. This was done to fulfil the Old Testament prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the citizens cheered and shouted, “Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Some people took off their cloaks and laid them on the ground for the donkey to walk on. Others cut down palm branches to joyfully wave. Palm branches were a traditional way in the Roman world of welcoming royalty.

Maundy Thursday is the next significant day of Holy Week. This year it comes on April 18 ^th . The word “maundy” comes from a Latin word that means “commandment.” The commandment is found in John 13:34 when Jesus told His friends, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Before eating the ritual Seder meal with His friends, Jesus washed their feet. In Bible times when roads were unpaved and people wore sandals, it was a customary sign of respect to wash the feet of your guests before dinner. After celebrating the Seder, Jesus took a loaf of bread and a cup of wine, gave thanks, and shared it with His friends. This was the Last Supper and is the basis of our communion service. Afterwards, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Only 11 disciples went with Him --- the 12 ^th disciple, Judas Iscariot, had slipped away during supper to betray Jesus. In the garden, Jesus prayed for the strength to face his upcoming ordeal. He knew his death was imminent; He asked God for the strength to endure all that was coming. While Jesus prayed, He asked His disciples to keep watch. Three times, Jesus returned to find them sleeping. When Judas Iscariot arrived with the chief priests, he greeted Jesus with a kiss --- the Judas Kiss. This was the prearranged signal to let the officials know which man Jesus was. Jesus was immediately arrested and taken to the home of the High Priest. He spent the rest of the night being questioned by the Jewish authorities.

Good Friday is the saddest day of the Christian year. In 2019, it falls on April 19 ^th . It was originally called God’s Friday but the name was corrupted during the Middle Ages into Good Friday. Good Friday is the day when Jesus died. Early in the morning, Jesus was taken to the home of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Frightened of Jesus’ claim that He was the Son of God, Pilate refused to condemn Jesus to death. The Jews demanded that Jesus be crucified. Finally, Pilate (the ultimate bureaucrat) gave in to their demands but first he called for a bowl of water and symbolically washed his hands of the matter saying, “My hands are clean of this man’s blood.” After being beaten and dressed in a robe of purple with a crown of thorns on His head, Jesus was forced to carry a heavy wooden cross through the streets of Jerusalem. In Roman times, a cross was a sign of revilement. He forced to walk to Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, outside the city walls. When Jesus stumbled and fell under the burden of the heavy cross, Simon of Cyrene (a by-stander in the crowd) was ordered to carry the cross for Jesus. At the foot of the cross, numerous Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah were fulfilled. Two thieves were crucified with Jesus; one taunted Jesus but the other was remorseful and ask Jesus to remember him when Jesus arrived in heaven. Jesus said to the thief, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Standing at the foot of the cross were some of Jesus’ disciples and His mother Mary; in one of the most moving gestures, Jesus asks His best friend John to care for Mary. When Jesus says He is thirsty, he is given sour vinegar to drink. As He is hanging on the cross, Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” At noon, the sky goes dark. It remains that way until 3 pm when Jesus cries, “It is finished” and dies. At that moment, an earthquake rocks the world; the curtain of the Holy of Holies in the temple is torn in two. Stunned, a Roman centurion cries out, “Surely this man was the Son of God.” Jesus’ body is taken down from the cross and buried in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea.

Early on Easter Day at first light, some of the women who followed Jesus come to the garden bringing spices to anoint the body. They discover the empty tomb and an angel sitting there who tells them, “He is risen!” Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Jesus in the garden, mistakes him for the gardener, and only recognizes Jesus when He calls her by name. Later that afternoon, Jesus appears to two of His disciples as they walk to the village of Emmaus. Easter falls on April 21 ^st this year.

The season of Easter lasts for fifty days. The liturgical colors for Easter are white and gold. It is the most joyous season of the Christian year.

--- Kathee Tyson

Our Palm Crosses

Palm fronds are traditionally used as decoration on Palm Sunday. Small palm crosses are also given out. The ones we use at CUMC come from African Palms, a mission project of the Episcopal Church; the palm crosses are hand made by women in Masasi, Tanzania from locally grown palms. The money raised from this project goes to do things like provide clean water to the area.

It is traditional to save palm crosses or fronds from Palm Sunday and burn them on Ash Wednesday to create the ashes of imposition.

2019 Floral Calendar

The Floral Calendar for 2019 is now hanging up in the hallway in the Social Hall. Be sure to sign up for the Sunday(s) you would like to provide flowers for the altar or sanctuary. You may also bring flowers to the chapel if you like. Flowers may be anything you'd like from a professional arrangement to flowers from your garden to a potted plant. It's a lovely way to celebrate a special event or remember a loved one. Contact Kathee Tyson with questions (katheetyson@yahoo.com).