HOLY WEEK at RCHP
Dear Church Family,

Holy Week is upon us!  This morning, as I write this, we should be gathered with the whole community for an Easter Egg Hunt and an egg toss.  It’s very sad to me, and I know to the kids of church, to lose moments like these. For all our younger members know that next year’s egg hunt will be one for the ages!

The solemn and sacred events that we usually share in this week are even more troubling to experience in isolation.  It is right and fitting to grieve right now.

That being said…we are planning MANY wonderful occasions for engaging with each other, and with God, over the next week.  Please participate in as many opportunities as possible as we remember Jesus’ last week and the power of God unveiled.


Peace, Pastor Seth
As a reminder, links to daily 9am morning prayer, midweek worship singing, and children's choir and storytime can be found on the RCHP website https://rchighlandpark.org
April 5: PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP
Sunday worship is available Saturday night at 7pm on  Facebook live  and Sunday morning on RCHP website https://www.rchighlandpark.org
Children's worship via zoom at 10:30am. (link from church website)
April 4-8: CREATE ART
Please consider working on a station as part of the RCHP Easter Labyrinth.   Click here for a list of stations . Choose one and rsvp to Lara: arpmeier@yahoo.com
April 6-12: CREATE A GARDEN
Create a Holy Week Garden that transforms from Good Friday into Easter. This activity is especially for the children. Watch the video from Ms. Wendy Jager to learn how you can make a Good Friday & Easter garden.
April 9: MAUNDY THURSDAY TENEBRAE SERVICE 7pm
On Maundy Thursday the church family is invited to gather for a service where we will celebrate the Last Supper and participate in a service of extinguishing lights.  Twelve readers, representing the 12 disciples, will read the accounts of Holy Week, leading up to the death of Jesus.  This gathering will happen through zoom.  You can go to the church website to the ICON that says “Maundy Thursday” to join in.
April 10: EASTER FLOWERS
Before this virus occurred, shutting down many of our activities, we had already ordered Easter Flowers.  On Saturday the 10th, if you ordered flowers, they will be delivered to the back parking lot of RCHP.  With care for social distancing you are invited to come, from 12pm-3pm, to pick up flowers that you have ordered.  If you haven’t paid, you can send the money to church.  We won’t receive any money on the 10th.  Any flowers that are not picked up will, on Easter Sunday, or soon thereafter, be planted in the church flower gardens.
April 10: GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP 7pm
On Good Friday we will engage in our annual practice of interpreting the Death of Jesus through the lens of our Lenten theme.  This year’s theme—Repair—will be explored in relation to the 7 last words of Jesus.  Join us, on zoom, for a service that will include special music and instrumental pieces by congregants sharing their gifts and talents from their homes.
April 10-11: EASTER LABYRINTH
On Friday, starting at noon, until Saturday night (and maybe beyond!), you can explore our Easter Labyrinth online gallery: 
April 12: EASTER SUNDAY
At 5:30am, on Easter morning, join us for an Easter Sunrise service.  If possible tune in from outside. This 30-minute service will allow us, like the women at the tomb, to acknowledge the resurrection as Easter morning begins.  

At 9am (and onward) join us for Easter Sunday worship. This too will be available through our website. 
spring_forest_sunrise.jpg