March 28, 2021 Worship Announcements, Song Words, and Scripture
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March 28, 2021 Worship Announcements, Song Words, and Scripture Welcome Visitors! During this challenging time, we’re glad you’re here to draw support from God and this new church. Actually, we’re a new church that is connected to an old church, as First United Methodist Church includes the downtown campus (founded 1871) and the Prairie Campus (launched 2019). We are an open-minded, inclusive, Christ-centered people, excited to be sharing God’s love out on the eastern plains. Pastor Patty would love to chat with you by phone or zoom (or for a walk if you are up for that) to get to know you better, so email her at [email protected] or fill out the contact form at https://www.fumcprairie.org/contact-us. Or you can drop your contact info (write on any scrap of paper in your car!) in the donation box upon exiting the parking lot after worship. More info about the Prairie Campus at www.fumcprairie.org or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FUMCPrairie/. Sign up for the weekly e-newsletter at https://www.fumcprairie.org/e-newsletter. Today we Celebrate Palm/Passion Sunday This Sunday, we’ll begin the service by celebrating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem; when he rode on a donkey, to the shouts of praise and “Hosanna!” and the waving of palms. To re-enact Jesus entry, folks will be given palm strips and will be invited to stand outside their cars (with masks), waving their palms, as a real, live donkey processes through the parking lot, accompanied by children. But by the end of the service, we’ll be singing “Were you There When They Crucified my Lord” and stripping the altar. Stripping the altar is an ancient custom of the church, where everything on the altar is taken away. As the table is stripped, we’ll remember how Christ’s life was stripped from him. As the table is left bare, we’ll remember the bareness of the cross. The communion bread and cup – symbols of Christ’s presence with us – will be taken away, helping us reflect on Christ’s death. This Sunday is Palm/Passion Sunday, that odd, mixed emotion day when we travel from celebration to suffering and death, from joy to grief. It’s a bumpy ride, but hold on, for we can only get to Easter, by way of the cross. A real, live Donkey is here for Palm Sunday! The donkey will be a part of our palm processional and then during kids’ outdoor Sunday School, children will be able to take individual donkey rides to re-enact Jesus’ journey. A Maundy Thursday Zoom Service: A Lord’s Supper Home Meal, April 1, 6:30 pm The first Lord’s Supper was in the midst of an actual meal in a home. This Maundy Thursday you’re invited to a 30- minute zoom service that will incorporate communion in the midst of an ordinary dinner (whatever you are having for supper). Find a seat at your table and gather for yourself some bread or crackers and something to drink along with your meal. During our shared supper time, we’ll join in reading scripture, a song, some simple liturgy, and folks will be invited to share a favorite story about Jesus or something they love about Jesus (this sharing is completely optional). In this way, we will fulfill Jesus’ wish that we “remember” him during communion. Children are most welcome at this service. Items to have on hand: A lit candle, your dinner, some bread or cracker, a beverage. Zoom info: Meeting ID: 930 8306 7198, Passcode: Maundy Downtown Campus FUMC Holy Week Services You are invited to attend in-person Holy Week services at the downtown FUMC campus (420 N. Nevada Ave.). Registration required through the FUMC website at: https://www.fumc-cs.org/worship Maundy Thursday - Thursday, April 1st at 7 pm Good Friday - Friday, April 2nd at 7 pm HELP US MAKE a Resurrection CROSS ON EASTER! Bring some flowers and place them on our “resurrection” cross on Easter! Christ’s resurrection brings new life! Even the terrible cross, the instrument of Jesus’ death, can become an emblem of new life in Christ when we cover it with flowers. Help us create this beautiful symbol; transforming our Lenten cross covered in chicken wire to a beautiful flowering cross. Simply bring flowers—as many as you like—to place on the cross before worship begins. Invite your friends to Easter Worship and Egg Hunt! April 4 - Drive-in Worship at 10 am, Egg hunt following worship Easter at the Prairie Campus is going to be egg-citing! Invite your friends for an uplifting, drive-in worship service (with kids outdoor Sunday School) and then after worship, all will enjoy our community egg hunt, a petting zoo, photo with the Easter bunny, and Easter cookies. Egg Hunt details: The outdoor hunt (held on the BLPA football field) will include staggered starts in separate areas, with a few families at a time for Covid safety. Masks required for ages 4 and up. Bring an Easter basket or bag. In case of bad weather, check the website for contingency plan. The egg hunt is free, but you must register at https://www.fumcprairie.org/easter-egg-hunt. Egg Hunt Volunteers Needed If you are willing to help out at the Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, please write your contact info with “egg hunt volunteer” on a piece of paper and drop it in the donation box following worship or contact Stacy at [email protected] for more details and to sign up. Lawn chair seating at Drive-in Worship Feel free to “pull up a chair” in front of your car or on the lawn during drive-in worship any Sunday it is warm enough for you to feel comfortable. Please wear your mask and bring your own lawn chair from home. A Lenten Candle Liturgy - During our Lenten worship, we will remember Jesus’ journey to the cross through a Lenten candle liturgy. For the first Sunday of Lent, we began with six candles lit, one for each of the six Sundays of Lent. And then each week of Lent we extinguish an additional candle (draping it in a black cloth) until the last Sunday in Lent, when every single candle will be extinguished. This extinguishing of candles reminds us of the coming darkness of the crucifixion. And yet as Christians, we know that darkness will not be the last word. Thank you to our 6th Sunday Lent Liturgists – JT, Stacy, John, and Sam McLeod. Just Mercy: Movie Night and Discussion Group Watch "Just Mercy" at home (but all at the same time) at 7pm April 13th and then join the discussion on Tuesday, April 20th at 7pm via ZOOM. If you can't watch it at the same time as the group (4/13 at 7), just watch it any time and join the discussion! If you CAN watch it at the same time, we'll use a group text to share our thoughts "live". Note: depending on your viewing options, it may cost you $14.99 to watch the movie, but if you need assistance, just let us know. Scholarships available. To register, contact Cam Scott at [email protected], and provide your cell phone number for the group text. Also, join the Prairie Campus Anti-racism group on the 2nd Sunday night of each month , 7:30-9pm. Angela Stevens, president of the local chapter of the NAACP will be our guest speaker in April, which is Sunday, April 11, 7:30-9 pm Contact [email protected] or [email protected] to get the ZOOM. Fresh Start Food Pantry Collection on April 11 - Fresh Start really appreciates the difference we have made for our neighbors. They particularly need peanut butter, soups, cereals, flour, sugar, baking mixes, pasta sauces, and canned veggies/fruits. Thank you for always being so generous, especially now. Bring your items on April 11 (which is not our typical 1st Sunday collection as Easter falls on the 1st Sunday this year.) We are Turning Two! Prairie Campus Birthday Celebration Service and Party– April 18 Join us on this special Sunday at drive-in worship as we celebrate our launch two years ago and God’s faithfulness throughout the roller coaster of the journey of the last two years. What grace! Then stay after the service for cake and celebration. Two Year Birthday Diaper Drive – April 18 - We are two years old, but we aren’t potty trained yet…so we need diapers! Please bring diapers to donate to the Prairie Campus at our 2-year birthday party on April 18. We’ll be collecting diapers of any size and baby wipes. Okay, they aren’t really for us, but for One Nation Walking Together. One Nation Walking Together strives to make a positive impact in the lives of Native Americans. By addressing the specific needs of each community they serve, One Nation delivers the basic necessities of life while uplifting the lives of the most impoverished people in our country. By loading 53-foot semi-trucks that deliver up to $2 million worth of donated goods to reservations annually, ONWT provides hope and services to between 30,000 to 40,000 Native Americans in Colorado and seven other states. Communion is served weekly. You are invited to bring communion items from home such as juice and crackers, but even doughnuts and coffee will work! If you need elements, Pastor Patty will have some available to distribute during the time of communion.