This Sunday is Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. In other words, we’ll be on an emotional roller coaster. We start in the courtyard, weather permitting. The snow has melted and the daffodils surrounding St. Francis are beautiful. We’ll bless our palms and wave them in joyous procession into the church, which will be cleaned and spruced up on Saturday. We remember Jesus’ coming to Jerusalem, greeted by shouting and supportive crowds.
But just that quickly, the adoration fades and we hear of Jesus’ last days: his trial, torture and crucifixion. We leave him buried in the tomb.
Yet, we keep going…. We celebrate the Eucharist, Christ with us. We remember ourselves in the crowds of Palm Sunday and in the crowds of the crucifixion. Even in the midst of the sobering and awful story, we cling to the hope and certain knowledge of resurrection and the love of God and of Jesus Christ.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Plan a Holy and Sacred week with these important opportunities:
Schedule for Holy Week and Easter Services – Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 3
Monday & Tuesday, March 30 & 31, 7pm, Evening Prayer
Wednesday, April 1, 7:00pm – Stations of the Cross
Thursday, April 2, 7:00pm – Maundy Thursday Service with Eucharist, Washing of the Feet, and Stripping of the Altar
Thursday, April 2, 8:30pm – Friday, April 3, 6:00am – Prayer Garden Vigil
Friday, April 3, 6:00am – Morning Prayer
Friday, April 3, 7:00pm – Good Friday with Adoration of the Cross
Saturday, April 4, 1:00-3:00pm – Holy Saturday and decorate the church
7:00pm, Easter Vigil followed by Champagne and Chocolate Reception
Sunday, April 5, 11:00am, Easter Day Celebration, followed by Easter Egg Hunt for the Children
Southeast Kentucky Ministerial Alliance (SEKMA) Holy Week Services.
Lunch will be served at 11:30am and the service will begin at 12:15pm, at the following locations each day:
Monday, March 30-Corbin Presbyterian
Tuesday, March 31 – Christian Care Communities
Wednesday, April 1 – Sacred Heart Catholic
Thursday, April 2 – Grace on the Hill, Methodist
Friday, April 3 – First Baptist Church (Corbin)
Schedule: Rebecca will be at St. John’s through Holy Week. Her Sabbath day will be Monday. You can get a message to Rebecca by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Pot Luck Sunday: This Sunday, following Holy Eucharist, is our monthly pot luck meal. Bring your appetite and a desire for fellowship. All are welcome so please join us for fellowship and good food!
Easter Flowers: Donations are being accepted until this Sunday for flowers to decorate the church for Easter. Use the donation envelopes and indicate whether the donation is “in honor of/in memory” of a loved one or a special occasion. Donations in any amount will be accepted.
Pray Through the Night (Maundy Thursday into Good Friday): Sign-up for a 1-hour slot to come to the church and pray. We will be holding vigil right after the Maundy Thursday service, approximately 8pm through 6am Friday morning. Bruce Cory will be at the church the entire time. Morning Prayer will follow at 6am
2015 Goals: The Vestry is considering adopting 3-5 goals for 2015 to reflect our mission statement. Ideas include sacristy renovation; support of LGBT people, possibly through a chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) or ongoing support of Union College’s Gay/Straight Alliance; Support for people dealing with addictions and their families; opening up the amphitheater and park to church bands; providing our parish hall to other religious groups; more ecumenical church services. What do you think we should be doing to put our mission statement into action?
Make a Covenant with St. John’s: God has made unconditional covenants with us that God will always be with us, always be our God. Likewise, through our annual pledge, we state our promise and obligation to the mission and work of the people of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Our mission and work not only includes our worship, Grow Appalachia, and family game nights, but also God’s work in our region through our Diocese and in our nation and world through The Episcopal Church and The Anglican Communion. If you’d like to make a covenant with St. John’s through a pledge, please see Rebecca or Gay Nell Conley.
Christian Care Communities Eucharist: Join Rebecca as she celebrates Holy Eucharist at Christian Care Communities. Elmer Parlier will be playing the guitar. The service begins at 2:30pm and is 30-45 minutes and the residents would appreciate your attendance.
Church Parlor Space: The Vestry is considering how best to use the space that is now our Parlor. Various ideas have included using the space as a welcome and information place, where information is available about St. John’s, our various ministries, and our members. Another idea is to have a prayer space with candles that can be lit for specific prayer intentions. If you have comments or other ideas, please see a member of Vestry or Rebecca.
Belk Charity Sales Day: Belk department store will be running a Charity Sales Day on Saturday, May 2, 6am – 10am. Buy tickets for $5.00 to get into this special sale. The church keeps the money and you get $5.00 off an item for each ticket you have. The church will be selling tickets at Belk on Friday afternoon, April 3.