The Reverend Monica B. Guepet, Lead Pastor

Meditations For Your Week

Sunday, April 5 ~ Saturday, April 11, 2020 The Reverend Monica B. Guepet, Lead Pastor 300 North Guernsey Road Sunday: “The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, West Grove, PA 19390 ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of www.westgroveumc.org the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” Matthew 21: 9. Even from home, we can sing. Let us sing out Jesus’ praises. Let God’s praises be on your lips!

Monday: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’” Matthew 22: 37-40. Even in the holiest weeks, Jesus calls us love one another. Where are you acting out your love?

Tuesday: “When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, ‘You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’” Matthew 26: 1-2. Jesus prepared his disciples for what was coming, even when they could not put together all the pieces. Prayerfully listen to what Jesus is preparing you for.

Wednesday: “By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’” Matthew 26: 12-13. Where is Jesus inviting you to have your life proclaim the good news of resurrection?

Thursday: “Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’” Matthew 26: 36. As we remember Jesus’ Last Supper on this Holy Thursday, let us pray with Jesus for all those who face their own holy weeks.

Friday: “Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27: 50-51. Jesus’ death changes everything. Give thanks to Jesus today.

Saturday: “So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.” Matthew 27: 59-61. Wait today on Jesus. Easter is coming! Resurrection is coming.

9:30 a.m. Blended Worship P RAYERS OF THE C OMMUNIT Y

To be added to the Prayer Chain: Weekdays, contact Donna Fackler at OPEN NEED [email protected] or 610-869-9334. Evenings and weekends, email [email protected]. Prayer requests will remain in the PRAYER? bulletin for four Sundays. Please contact Donna, if you need the Prelude request extended. If you do not want your name listed in the bulletin, please state that in your request.

Welcome and Ministry Opportunities Pastor Monica Community Prayer Focus for March: Church Staff Mission Prayer Focus for March: Constellation Network Welcome! Comment in the livestream feed.

First-time guest or member, let us know you were here! Darlene Alleger (Guepet) Laura Minnick Glenn Allen (Mundell) Peggy Mowrer Betty Mundell *Opening Song “In Jesus’ Name” PraiseWorks Mini Helen Carlin Marilyn Churchhill Tim Mullen Joann Coates Lola Nadolny (Hruz) Anderson S. Camp *Unison Call to Worship Pastor Monica Florence Combs (Combs) Vivian Paisley Navy, Norfolk, VA (Shaub) Dee Crawford Brian Radcliffe (Hruz) When they came to Jerusalem, Jesus sent two disciples to secure a donkey. Daniel Engberg—Iraq (Hruz) Ian & Cindy Currie (Lytle) Michael Raineri He rode through the streets of Jerusalem. Jen Donnelly (Simmons) Wayne Reisler (Shiplet) Nathaniel Howard, The crowds cried out: Hosanna! We lift our voices and praises! Linda Eyster (Combs) Rick Renzulli (McGinley) Norway Michael Fackler (Fackler) Joan Saller Laying down their coats and holding their palms, Brian Kubo—Washington (Mullen) Bill Fili, Jr. (Bratton) Doug & Joan Smead (Wolff) they quoted the promises of scripture: Mary Finn (Mullen) Charlie Smith (B. Smith) LTC Eric Maxwell, Blessed in the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Stephen Gaughan (Fackler) Reed & Joyce Smith Fayetteville, NC Hosanna in highest heaven! John Gorman (McGinley) Family of Ida Belle Snyder (Peirson) (Sara Ann Ramberger) Ellen Hayes Rick Spencer (Kim Smith) Chris Weidman—Japan (Miller) Family of Scott Helsel (Stewart) Flora Spiegel (Strewjewski) Hymn “Hosana, Loud Hosana” UMH No. 278 Baby Evelyn Stewart Herrera Maureen Stickel (Fackler) Dalton Wolfe-U.S. Marine Corps Jeannie Sullivan Family of Muff Hurst Drew Zumpino—South Korea Peg Kent Bruce Varney (Shiplet) *Opening Prayer (Unison) Pastor Monica (Beauchamp) Hosanna! Save us, O God. Save us from temptation. Save us from our Suzanne Krebel (Hurst) Mary Weidman (Miller) Gordon Maule (Phillips) tempers, our short fuses and bad moods. Save us from despair. Save us Joel & Heaven McCree (Combs) from hopelessness. Hosanna! Save us, O God. Save us from giving up. Save SERVANTS IN MINISTRY ON SUNDAY MORNING us from not planning ahead. Save us from worry. Save us from fear. Hosanna! Save us, O God. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Giving thanks to God for those who are serving you in worship this Palm Sunday: Lord. Blessed are you, Lord Jesus, who came into our world as one of us, who died as one of us, and who lives again. May we seek Your reign on A/V Production Team: earth as it is in heaven. Hosanna in the Highest! Amen. Sound and Video Production: Keith Schneider PowerPoint and Projection: Mike Duvall

Camera: Alisabeth Guepet GROW Music Director: Betsy Smith Moment for All Ages Melanie Hartley PraiseBand Mini: Mel Leaman New Testament Lesson Isaiah 5:4-9a Cindy Haley Moment for All Ages: (video) Melanie Hartley Lay Reader: (video) Cindy Haley *Gospel Lesson Matthew 6:14 Cindy Haley Gospel Reader: (video) Rev. Jim Mundell Online Engagement Host: (virtual) Melanie Hartley *Response to the Lesson Cindy Haley

One: This is the word of God for the people of God. Many: Thanks be to God! Amen. If you are interested in serving as a lay reader, liturgist, or other part of worship in a virtual way, please contact Pastor Monica ([email protected]).

Page 2 Page 10 THIS WEEK: April 5th—April 12th, 2020 Sermon “A Part Of The Crowd” Pastor Monica ~~ Hours for the Church Office: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 am– 12:0pm~~ The church is open for essential business only. Thank you for using phone calls, emails, letters, texts, direct messages, and other mediums for nonessential business. SERVE

Palm Sunday Song of Response “Forgiveness” PraiseWorks Mini Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Palm Sunday Worship (Facebook Live) 10:30 a.m. Children’s Sunday School (via Zoom) Moment of Impact Easter Bags For Families Pastor Monica 10:30 a.m. Faithlinks (via Zoom) 10:30 a.m. Journey to Jesus, Journey to Love (via Zoom) Offering 5:30 p.m. –7:00 p.m. Youth Group (via Zoom) Monday: 5:30 p.m. Tech Team Meeting (via Zoom) Offertory Prayer (Unison) Pastor Monica 7:00 p.m. Daily Prayer (Where you are) Tuesday: 7:00 p.m. Trustee Meeting (via Zoom) Holy God, we enter this holy week bringing our tithes and offerings to your altar and leaving them here in the hope you will send them to make the world a more loving 7:00 p.m. Daily Prayer (Where you are) Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. Bi-Monthly Staff Meeting (via Zoom) and compassionate place. Remind us that your kingdom breaks into the world not as 11:30 a.m. All Conference Worship (via Zoom) a spectacle for us to witness but as a parade where we are called to make a working 7:00 p.m. Daily Prayer (Where you are) contribution. We pray in the name of the one who comes not just for the parade, but Maundy Thursday: for the cross at the end of it. Amen. 12:00 p.m Maundy Thursday Devotions (via Facebook Live) 6:00 p.m. Special Charge Conference (via Zoom) Communion 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Worship (via Facebook Live) 7:00 p.m. Daily Prayer (Where you are) *Gospel Lesson Matthew 21:12-21 Pastor Jim Good Friday: 9:00 a.m. 24-Hour Prayer Vigil from home begins 3:00 p.m. Prayer Stations (Facebook Live) 7:00 p.m. Community Good Friday Service (Facebook Live Hymn of Sending Forth “Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross” UMH No. 301 7:00 p.m. Daily Prayer (Where you are) Holy Saturday: *Benediction Pastor Monica 9:00 a.m. 24-Hour Prayer Vigil from home ends 5: 00p.m. Wiggly Giggly Easter Vigil (Facebook Live) *Postlude 7:00 p.m. Daily Prayer (Where you are) Easter Sunday • = Please stand as you are able Bold Print = Say in unison Sunday: 7:00 a.m. Easter Sunrise Worship -Prayer Garden (Facebook Live) 9:30 a.m. Easter Worship (Facebook Live) 10:30 a.m. Children’s Sunday School (via Zoom) 10:30 a.m. Faithlinks (via Zoom) 10:30 a.m. Journey to Jesus, Journey to Love (via Zoom)

Please contact Pastor Monica ([email protected]) to set up Zoom for your group, Bible study, small group, gathering, or meeting. You can access Zoom on a landline, a cell phone, a MOMENT OF IMPACT smartphone, a laptop, or a desktop. Children's Easter Bags, Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 The church is not the building, The church is the people. The Holy Spirit can not be contained, even in quarantine. Please watch your email, our website www.westgroveumc.org, This year, our annual Eggstravaganza is not taking place, but we still want to share our Facebook page www.facebook/westgroveumc for more information. some fun and Easter treats! Bags are filled with activity pages, small crafts, candy

and more. Bags for PreK children and K- 6 will be available for pick up outside the Please join us for worship at www.facebook/westgroveumc. You do not need Facebook to worship. Click on the link or type it into your web browser. Best of all, God is with us! church on Wednesday, April 8 after 2 p.m. We are so glad to be able to share some joy with you! Page 9 Page 3 Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 5:4-9a Empty Communion What more was there to do for my is the house of Israel,

vineyard and the people of Judah that I have not done in it? are his pleasant planting;

When I expected it to yield grapes, he expected justice, One- Today Lord, I gather around this empty table. I have neither bread, nor why did it yield wild grapes? but saw bloodshed; cup, nor congregation to feast with. (Reveal the empty chalice and plate) And now I will tell you righteousness, And still you say to me and to us - but heard a cry! what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, Ah, you who join house to house, Many: All will be well. I am here with you. and it shall be devoured; who add field to field, I will break down its wall, until there is room for no one but you, One: God, we enter this Holy Week with a quiet stillness, borne from isolation and it shall be trampled down. and you are left to live alone and solitude. The suffering, death, and resurrection that we will recount and I will make it a waste; in the midst of the land! remember this week are not abstract ideas to us right now. We sense you it shall not be pruned or hoed, The Lord of hosts has sworn in my calling us into deeper waters where we are able to encounter the suffering and and it shall be overgrown with briers hearing: find that it is not the end of the story. and thorns; Surely many houses shall be desolate, I will also command the clouds large and beautiful houses, without We know that you are still here. You are here in this empty sanctuary. You are that they rain no rain upon it. inhabitant. here in our homes. You are alive in our hospitals. And in our communities that For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts form online. And you are alive in our collective grieving. And so today, when we cannot be together around this table- we raise ourselves beyond the mere symbols of bread and cup, and offer up this whole world to Gospel Lesson: Matthew 6:14 you. All the labor and the sufferings of our beloved friends all across this globe. All For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; the sorrow and heartache held deep within our souls and spirits. Gospel Lesson: Matthew 21:12-21 Many: Hold it all, Lord, just as you hold us. Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the

temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those One: - Every morning, over there on the horizon, the sun touches the outermost who sold doves. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of fringes of the Eastern sky and the living surface wakes up… once again offering prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.” up light and life. And so, at the start of this day, I will place on this plate, The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. But when the O God, the harvest that will be won today by the renewal of our labor. The chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the work of feeding our neighbors, teaching our young people, healing the sick, children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became angry stocking the shelves, and caring for our most vulnerable. And into this chalice and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes; I will pour all the sap which is to be pressed out this day from the fruits of this have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies labor. you have prepared praise for yourself’?” This chalice and this plate hold the depths of our souls laid wide open to you He left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there. In the Lord, open to the movement of your Spirit, rising up from every corner of the morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by earth - making ourselves fully available to your light and life in the midst of our the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he suffering. said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.

When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at Many: It is more than enough. We are enough. once?” Jesus answered them, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt,

not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this

mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. Page 4 OPEN ~ GROW ~ SERVE At West Grove UMC, we love God by opening our hearts to Jesus, growing One: One by one, Lord, I see, and I love all those whom you have given me to our faith and serving our community and world in God’s name. sustain and enrich my life. One by one, I also number those who make up that

Welcome, one and all! wider beloved family which has gradually surrounded me, its unity fashioned out of the most diverse elements, with shared affinities of the heart, of work, Church Office: 610-869-9334 and of thought. And one by one—more vaguely, it is true, yet all-inclusively—I Our Website: www.westgroveumc.org call before me the whole vast anonymous collection of living humanity: those Email us at [email protected] who surround me and support me though I do not know them; those who come and those who go; above all, those who in offices, laboratories, hospitals, 24-HOUR PRAYER VIGIL: Friday, April 10, 9 a.m. through Saturday, April 11, 9 a.m. grocery stores, and unemployment offices, through their vision of truth or even Sign up for a one-hour slot to pray from your home for needs of our church family, our community and world. Email requests to [email protected] subject: Vigil prayer. despite their error, truly believe in the progress and potential of humanity and who today will again take up their impassioned pursuit of the light. YOUTH FUNDRAISER– Buy your Tees and Totes. These top quality items for just $15 I call before me all the things in the world to which this day will bring increase; each! Email Melanie with your interest [email protected]. all those that will diminish; all those, too, that will die: all of them, Lord, I try to

VBS SAVE THE DATE: July 20-24, 2020 If you are interested in volunteering, please be gather into my arms so as to hold them out to you in offering. This is the sure to let Melanie Hartley know! Save the dates for VBS and look for registration information material of my sacrifice, the only material you desire. to open in March. Check our website at www.westgroveumc.org

CHARGE CONFERENCE We are holding a Special Charge Conference on Thursday April Many: It is more than enough. We are enough. 9th at 6:00 pm to apply for a CARES (Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act) for payroll protection loan for our church and preschool. You can call into this meeting (929 436 One: In the early days, many would take into your temple the first fruits of their 2866 ) or click here https://zoom.us/j/624897230? harvest, the flower of their flocks. But the offering you really want, the offering pwd=L1h1KzZIVHdGbjhQVEFLclpEZHRQdz09. Please let use know if you need help accessing the meeting. Meeting ID: 624 897 230 you mysteriously need each day to appease your hunger, to slake your thirst, is nothing less than the growth of this world - moving toward you, expanding in ALL CONFERENCE WORSHIP We hope you will join us in celebrating the Christ, who is the love… balm in Gilead and will not leave or forsake us On Wednesday, Apr 8, 2020, 11:30 AM Receive, O Lord, this offering at this dawn of a new day. For I offer it on behalf (Length: about 45 minutes.) Join Zoom Meeting https://epaumc.zoom.us/ of your fragmented and anguished world, crying out to you… j/766144817 Meeting ID: 766 144 817 Telephone participants in the Eastern PA region should use: +1 646 558 8656

The following Events and Gatherings have been postponed at this time: Many: Lord, Make us One. Lord, Make us One. Lord, Make us One. • Annual Eggstravagnza (April 5) • General Conference Listening Sessions and General Conference of the United One: Fill us all now to the fullness of your Spirit, unite us in sharing in the Methodist Church (May 5th—15th) feast of your love, and initiate us into full participation in this Holy Week. That • Annual Conference (June 18th– 20th) our hearts and our minds and our bodies - would find you in the midst of our • Easter Flowers • KnitWit Gatherings suffering and in finding you - we might feel revived to continue participating in your love made flesh here in the world. IN PRAYER The prayer ministry team has been praying at 7pm each night. We pray for protection and health and wellbeing for each other, for the church, for our community, our nation and our world that has been upended. We are inviting you to join us from the comfort Many: May it be so… Amen. of your home as we have been doing. Set an alarm for 7pm to pause for prayer.

Report from March 29, 2020 God’s Faithfulness ~ General Offering : $ 2,706.00 (Liturgy adapted from the offertory of Teilhard de Chardin’s “Mass on the World” as Your Stewardship Building Maintenance Fund: $85.00 shared by Cynthia Bourgeault - https://www.contemplative.org/contemplative - Emergency Groceries YTD: 224 bags practice/mass-on-the-world/) It is your tithes, offerings, and gifts that Emergency Aid provided YTD: $ 1,528.73

impact and change lives for Christ! Family Promise Assistance : $1500.00 Page 5 Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 5:4-9a Empty Communion What more was there to do for my is the house of Israel,

vineyard and the people of Judah that I have not done in it? are his pleasant planting;

not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this

impact and change lives for Christ! Family Promise Assistance : $1500.00 Page 5 THIS WEEK: April 5th—April 12th, 2020 Sermon “A Part Of The Crowd” Pastor Monica ~~ Hours for the Church Office: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 am– 12:0pm~~ The church is open for essential business only. Thank you for using phone calls, emails, letters, texts, direct messages, and other mediums for nonessential business. SERVE

9:30 a.m. Blended Worship P RAYERS OF THE C OMMUNIT Y

Welcome and Ministry Opportunities Pastor Monica Community Prayer Focus for March: Church Staff Mission Prayer Focus for March: Constellation Network Welcome! Comment in the livestream feed.

Page 2 Page 10

Meditations For Your Week