From the Pastor's Desk

From the Pastor’s Desk: April 2019

Dear Grace Community,

I look forward to Holy Week and Easter. Holy Week begins on Sunday, April 14, with Palm Sunday worship. On this day we hope to capture the excitement of Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem and to foreshadow what is to come.

Each year on Maundy Thursday we worship in different styles.  Last year we worshiped around meals in homes.  In 2017 we experienced a drama of the Last Supper.  This year, April 18, we worship at Grace in the sanctuary with a Tenebrae service at 7 pm.

During the Tenebrae service the sanctuary gradually gets darker as we hear the stories leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion.  We end the night in silence as we strip the worship elements from the chancel of the sanctuary.  The visual experience always moves me.

Our Good Friday service is simple but powerful.  We sing and read the story of Jesus’ crucifixion.  For a couple of years early in my pastorate here we included a short sermon in this service.  Then one year we didn’t, and it was so moving to let the story stand on its own with no interpretation that we’ve continued this.  The service is at noon and lasts about 30 minutes.

Then we wait.

And on the first day of the week, Sunday, April 21, we gather to celebrate the good news.  We celebrate with worship at 9 and 11 am.  In the sanctuary the dark curtains that cover the windows during Lent fall, and the light comes in.  At both services we celebrate with joyful brass accompaniment.  All are invited to witness to the resurrection by adding flowers to the cross on the lawn.

It’s not even close; Easter is my favorite day of the year.

These are days best experienced in community.  I hope you’ll join us.

In Christ,
Catherine

Holy Week 2019

holy weekHoly Week begins with Palm Sunday on April 14.  Join us for morning worship at either 9 and 11 am as we experience the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

On Thursday, April 18, we gather for Maundy Thursday worship at 7 pm in the Grace Sanctuary.  We hear the story of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, his betrayal, and arrest, and we prepare ourselves for Good Friday.  This is a Tenebrae service which includes the Lord’s Supper.

Friday, April 19, is Good Friday.  We worship at noon in the Grace Sanctuary.  During the 30 minute service we worship through scripture and song.

Sunday, April 21, is Easter, and we celebrate our risen Lord!  We worship at 9 and 11 am.  Between services all are invited to adorn the Easter cross on the front lawn with flowers.

Morning Worship

Bus Tickets and Morning Worship: April 15

Each month Grace distributes bus tickets to people in our community.  This happens on the 15th of the month, or if the 15th is on a weekend we meet the Friday before.  Volunteers and those receiving tickets begin to gather around 6:30 am in the Grace Alcove. Guests are greeted with smiles, coffee, water, and a place to sit. Tickets are distributed at 7:50 am.

We can always use volunteers to help with set-up, clean-up, and ticket distribution.  Want to help?  Contact Kirk Anderson, kirk@mygpc.org or 684-5215.

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Miles for Mission: Denver, CO

Our Miles for Mission fundraiser runs through Easter to help support our IGNITE 2019 Mission Trip to Denver, Colorado.  Your year on year support has allowed us to take hundreds of youth on our annual mission trip through the years, and this fundraiser helps to cover our transportation costs.

This year we are partnering with the Door Network in Denver. Youth spend the second week of July serving the homeless and disenfranchised urban population in Denver.  Mission-trippers also learn about social and economic justice and how they can take what they learn and apply it at home. We have 30 high school youth along with six amazing guides participating.  We also welcome our friends from Chase Community Presbyterian church again this year.  You can donate at the Miles for Mission table by the coffee bar, and we accept checks, cash or card. Thank you for your generous support of Grace’s Youth Ministry.