Upcoming WorshipApril 3 – Holy Saturday (Lent series on Holy Week), John 19:38-42 April 7 – Maundy Thursday, 7:00 p.m. April 10 – Palm Sunday April 17 – Resurrection of the Lord Sunday April 24 – Second Sunday of Easter
Maundy Thursday: Hope in the ShadowsJoin us for worship on Maundy Thursday for a tenebrae service titled “Hope in the Shadows” on April 14, at 7:00 p.m. Our choir will be joining with the St. Luke Presbyterian Church Choir for this service which will include readings from the passion story and choral music. Share our event at this Facebook link. Worship & Music NotesNote from the Director Music MinistriesEvery good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17 Our journey began in Advent with the anticipation of the birth of Christ and then the celebration of that birth. As in our lives, that was only the beginning of our journey of faith. We continue now through the contemplative time of Lent. We experience the joy and excitement of Palm Sunday, April 10, with inspiring music by the Sanctuary Youth, Renaissance Ringers, and the Sanctuary Choir. The following days remind us of the difficulties, the questioning, the betrayal, and the incredible love of God sacrificing His son. The emotions, the faith, and the love are all presented in the Tenebrae Service, “From the Shadows”. This very moving work of text, scripture, and music will be presented by the combined Sanctuary Choir and St. Luke Choir on Maundy Thursday, April 14, at 7:00 p.m. From the shadows comes the light. On Easter Sunday, April 17, we will continue our faith journey and celebrate the resurrection of Christ with joyous music by the Sanctuary Choir and guest trumpeters. Our Maundy Thursday Service will be presented on Thursday, April 14, at 7:00 p.m. This service is open to the public. Please invite your friends and family to take the Holy Week journey with you. -Joyce Zigler Easter MemorialsIn the past two years it seems that so many of our loved ones have gone to live with the Lord. Even if our loved ones have been gone longer, it gives us joy and peace to remember each in a special way or, it is a joy to honor someone who is very special in our lives. The Easter Memorials sponsored by the Music and Worship Ministry Team will give us the opportunity to do that this year. The proceeds from the Easter Memorials will go to The Women and Children’s Center in Middletown. Each memorial will cost $10.00. The name of your loved one and the person who gave will be printed on a special page in the Easter bulletin. The Music and Worship Ministry Team appreciate your generosity for this very worthy cause. You can pick up an order form in the Gathering Area or Narthex or click here. Christian Education NotesTuesday Morning Bible StudyTuesday Morning Bible Study will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Youth Room. We are finishing the Gospel of Luke on April 19, and then we will do a study on themes of war and peace in the Bible. In-person Nursery Care and Sunday SchoolThe Christian Education Committee continues to prayerfully consider and implement safe practices to support the full participation of all ages, especially since some children still do not have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Two Childcare Workers provide consistent care for our youngest children in the Nursery. We practice physical distancing in Sunday School, and as much as is practical in providing care in the Nursery. Both spaces are equipped with hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, and disposable masks in a variety of sizes. Furthermore, we continue to follow the CDC’s recommendation by requiring universal indoor masking in these classrooms by all individuals (age 2 and older), regardless of vaccination status. Nursery Care is available for infants and children up to 5 years old every Sunday, located next to Room 110. Sunday School (children ages 6-12) is offered most Sundays* in the Godly Play Room. Leaders will escort children from the Sanctuary to Sunday School. When worship concludes, parents/guardians will need to come to the Godly Play Room to pick up their child(ren). (*Note: In April, Sunday School will meet on 4/10, 4/17, and 4/24. We especially want to include children and youth in special worship celebrations such as Communion, etc.)
GraduatesAre you graduating? Or is someone in your household graduating? We’d
like to lift up graduates in a time of prayer during worship and offer a small
gift. Please call the church office or email sandy@fpcmiddletown.com with any
names to include. Easter Egg HuntCome to the Easter Egg Hunt on Palm Sunday, April 10, in the courtyard following worship. Mission NotesLearn more about the missionaries that we support: Odds & EndsLenten Luncheons: Brown-bag Edition!Lenten Luncheons began in March, and we have been blessed to hear from Pastor Scotty Robertson form First Baptist, Pastors John Wagner and Daniel Cardenas from First United Methodist, as well as Lisa Kaufer and Michael Isaacs. On April 7, we will welcome Dick Sedgwick from St. Luke Presbyterian Church. Food will not be provided at these luncheons this year. Instead, we ask everyone to bring their own brown-bag lunch. (If there is someone who would like to attend and cannot afford lunch, please let us know, and we can provide one.) Lunch begins at noon. Men’s Monthly MeetingMen’s Monthly Meeting is an opportunity for the men of the church to get together and socialize over dinner. On Tuesday, April 12, the meeting will be at Wildwood Golf Club, 601 Aberdeen, at 5:30 p.m. Hope to see you there! Online CalendarThe church calendar is now online! Go to https://www.fpcmiddletown.com/calendar. We give thanks to God for the life of. . .David Blaine, who died on March 4. Jim Flowers, who died on March 6. Eleanor Davidson McCabe who died recently. Eunice Gerber, who died on March 24. Eunice is Greg Gerber’s mother.
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