Hello, Oak Chapel friends,
Holy Week is upon us. It is the busiest week on the church calendar with many services of remembrance of Jesus’ journey to the cross. This Sunday is Palm Sunday, a day marking Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem – that place where he was cheered the one day and jeered the next; that place where he spent his final days with his disciples and came face to face with his death. As a child I never really understood Palm Sunday. At church I joined the other children singing the festive songs and waving the palm branches. We had a Jesus parade and I loved parades! I equated the image of Jesus riding the donkey into Jerusalem with Santa Claus at the end of the Thanksgiving parade – he brought smiles to our faces; the “big man” was now here and all was right with the world. It was quite a festive time! Yet the story doesn’t end there and indeed all was NOT right with the world. Knowing what lies ahead puts a damper on the celebration – and I think it should. Thinking of Palm Sunday only as a parade takes it out of context and negates the events that led up to that day and those things that came after Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
It is also easy for us to make Palm Sunday a pre-Easter celebration. We look ahead and we know the end of the story. It is tempting to just skim over the events in the middle of the week and go from celebration to celebration without experiencing the darkest part of the journey. Yet we cannot really understand Easter and celebrate the joy of the resurrection without experiencing the pain of Good Friday. We cannot fully understand the light unless we have experienced darkness. The details for our Maundy Thursday worship and Good Friday cantata are listed below. I encourage you to participate in these services so that you can truly appreciate the resurrection on Easter Sunday!
My message for this Palm Sunday is titled “It’s in the Details,” based on Luke 19: 28 – 40. There will be a fellowship luncheon after worship. Please bring a dish or two to share and your table service. I look forward to worshiping with you!
Below you will also find other announcements and important information about upcoming events. Please review and mark your calendars accordingly.
Children’s Sunday School Assistants
Terra Aten leads the young children’s Sunday School class that meets during worship each Sunday morning. Her assistant this Sunday, 3/20 is Cindy Mykrantz. Her assistant next Sunday, 3/27 is Cathy Shallenberger.
Maundy Thursday worship
The word maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning commandment, taken from some of Jesus’ final words to his disciples as he washed their feet at the Last Supper, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” Join us on Thursday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m. as we remember Jesus’ final meal with his disciples.
Good Friday Cantata
Members of the choirs of the Church of the Cross, Moreland, Oak Chapel and Wooster United Methodist Churches will present the Good Friday Cantata “Jesus, Son of God” on Friday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. at Oak Chapel. Eyewitness testimonies are woven into this musical that reflects the father-heart of God and traces God’s greatest sacrifice for us – Jesus Christ.
Easter Sunday Worship
Join us for our early service at 8:00 a.m. This service will be led by our confirmation class and youth groups. Following this service, the adult Sunday School classes will host our Easter Breakfast in Fellowship Hall. Come to Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., then stay for our traditional Resurrection Celebration at 10:30 a.m.
Easter Egg Hunt
Our annual Community Easter Egg Hunt will be Saturday, March 26 at 10:30 a.m. Come see the Easter Bunny and hunt for eggs! Please invite your relatives and neighbors to bring their children for a morning of fun.
All Sons Banquet
The United Methodist Men will host the All Sons Banquet on Saturday, April 9 beginning at 5:30 p.m. All men are invited! Please reserve your spot with Kim Domer by Easter Sunday, March 27. The entertainment for the evening is Northwest Territory Bluegrass Band. This band has traveled both nationally and internationally and their music not only includes bluegrass, but gospel, country and folk as well. The program, which is sure to please, will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Opportunities for Ministry Next Week
Sunday, 3/20 – Sunday School at 9:30am
Worship at 10:30am
Blood Pressure Screenings after worship
Fellowship Luncheon after worship
Confirmation Class at 6:00pm
Youth Groups at 7:00pm
Monday, 3/21 – Bible Study at 9:15am
Trustees at 7:00pm
Tuesday, 3/22 – Girl Scouts at 5:45pm
Membership Care Committee at 7:00pm
Wednesday, 3/23 – Choir Rehearsal at 7:00pm
Thursday, 3/24 – Maundy Thursday Service at 7:00pm
Friday, 3/25 – Good Friday Cantata at 7:00pm
Saturday, 3/26 – Weight Loss Support Group at 9:15am
Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30am
It is a privilege to be your pastor and to serve among such an amazing community! I look forward to worshiping with you in church on Sunday!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Robin