4/11: Holy Week: Saturday Devotional and Announcements

4/11/2020

Friends of WPUMC:
This is Holy Week – the days between Palm/Passion Sunday and Easter. Each day, we will send a scripture, image, devotional reading, prayer and Taize song to help you observe Jesus’ journey this week. Grace and peace to you as we walk this valley together.

Scripture: John 18: 1-14
After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you are looking for me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, “I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.

Pastor's Message

It has happened. Christ has died. We have made it to the other side of the violence, the betrayal and the unbearable pain that Christ experienced in surrendering his life. For the disciples, I cannot imagine how dark this Saturday must have been, not knowing that Sunday was on the horizon. For many of us, we sit in this Saturday space, not knowing when or if our Easter Sunday morning will come. While we know the story of the resurrection and the hope that comes with it, during these times it may serve us better to sit a while with this Saturday feeling. When we don't know what the future holds, how can we learn to dive deeper into our faith and lean into the God who never deserts us? On this day filled with unknowing and fear, let us see what this darkness has to teach us about ourselves, each other, and our Creator.

My prayers are ever with you,
Rev. Jamielee

Listen to a musical prayer, Come Fill my Heart. Click on the Play button below.

Prayer
Merciful and everlasting God, Creator of heaven and earth, the crucified body of your Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy day. Grant that we may await with him in the dawning of the third day and rise in newness of life, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

Easter Living Cross - Make paper flowers at home

You can help us with our Easter preparations! Our Living Cross has been an important symbol in our neighborhood at Eastertime. This year, since we will not be able to gather in person on Easter Sunday, we ask that you help prepare by making flowers at home! Below are a few links to tutorials on how to make paper flowers.

On the Saturday before Easter (April 11th), we will have the cross outside on the lawn (if the weather is bad, the cross will be in the courtyard). Throughout the day, please come over to church and place your flower/s on the cross. Please make a point not to congregate with others and keep appropriate social distance while helping us prepare for our Easter celebration!

Paper Flower DIY videos on YouTube:

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