FROM THE PASTOR

March 2008

Dear Church Family,

What a blessing February was for all of us!  Sunday, February 17^th, was a blessing all-day-long, from Korto’s sharing how she has been transformed by God to Gordon Mote’s sharing of the good news in concert.  Your response spoke volumes.  February was the beginning of our evening Lenten series which continues on into March for the first two weeks.  Don’t miss Jack Cloyd on March 2^nd, and David Wink on March 9^th, both at 7 PM.

I have heard from many of you that you are staying with your personal and social disciplines that you marked on the purple Lenten sheets.  Good for you! 

I hope that as we walk toward the cross and on to the resurrection you will avail yourselves of as many Lenten/Easter experiences as you possibly can!

On Palm Sunday we will continue the tradition of the palms, but new additions to all services have been planned for that special day. 

Holy Week will offer a variety of new and different experiences.  On Maundy Thursday, we will have both a love feast and an optional footwashing.  Even if you choose not to participate in the footwashing, you are sure to be blessed by the multi-sensory worship experience.  Our Good Friday service begins at 8 PM this year, and it, too, is a new creation.

Just before dawn 6:30 AM on Easter Sunday, weather permitting, we will have a Sunrise resurrection celebration around the cross on the north lawn.  Please bring your lawn chairs, blankets, jackets, and come prepared for a beautiful beginning of Easter day.  Refreshments will be served, and you may stay for any of our three Easter services that follow.

Easter worship services will be 8:30; 9:45 (contemporary); and 11:00.  This Easter, instead of our traditional living cross, we will have a large gathering basket on the altar.  You are invited to bring flowers from your garden or elsewhere and place in the basket before each service begins.  Remember that on Easter Sunday only we will have no Sunday School.

I look forward to celebrating the passion and the resurrection of our Lord with you during this Holy Season.

Grace and Peace,

Judith

Judithreedy@fumcthecolony.org