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Virtual Worship at 6:30pm TODAY, April 9th, is Maundy Thursday. We invite you to join us on Facebook (visit our “Washington Park UMC” page) live at 6:30 tonight for a service of light and darkness. In preparation, gather these things: a candle and lighter, bread or cracker, a drink, a damp washcloth (or access to a sink).  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. At the bottom of the email will be a few pertinent announcements. Grace and peace to you as we walk this valley together. Scripture: John 12:1-7 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. Pastor's MessageAs I take my daily walk, I am regularly overcome with the thought that it’s really springtime. Spring is springing forth, trees are budding and the earth has continued to spin, even though I feel more dormant than ever. All of the preparations I had made for this time of year seem to slip through my fingers, as the weeks slip by and yet another activity or event passes without being done. But spring keeps coming, and each day I can’t wait to go out for Cora’s walk and soak up every single bit of it. I read our scripture today through a different set of eyes than I would have last year. This year, I side more firmly with Mary than ever. Use the perfume! Why wait?! The future (at least for us, but maybe not for Jesus) is uncertain and the time for sharing what is precious is now. (But no sharing of germs, please!) While Jesus seemed ever aware of his future, and the burden he was bound to bear, his disciples are more like us. They knew things were happening, they had no idea what sorrow and what immense joy awaited them. I feel the same, caught between dread and stubborn hope. There will be mourning. There will be loss. But someday, there will be joy again. When we are uncertain of the future, the now seems like the perfect time to shower our loved ones with affection. To use the good china. To savor the life that is offered to us each day. Let our uncertainty be a driving force for us to bring our own small pieces of light into this darkness. On this Maundy Thursday, let us know the darkness and know with the same assurance, that light will shine again. Prayers and Blessings be with you, --Rev. Jamielee Listen to a musical prayer, Bless the Lord My Soul. Click on the Play button below. Prayer O God, by the example of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, you taught us the greatness of true humility, and call us to watch with him in his passion. Give us grace to serve one another in all lowliness, and to enter into the fellowship of his suffering; in his name and for his sake. Amen. AnnouncementsEaster Living Cross - Make 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: Comments are closed.
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