Pastoral note, from Garrett

This Sunday is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. Holy Week invites us into the drama of Jesus’ journey to the cross. We’re invited to follow him into Jerusalem and be present as the cheers of “Hosanna” turn into cries of “Crucify him!” 

Holy Week offers us the opportunity to take up our crosses— by pausing in prayer, confronting in confession, and reconciling in deed. Easter Sunday will come, but going through the steps of the week offers us the opportunity to be more than spectators. Holy Week invites us to participate in resurrection. 

You can deepen the journey with an online devotional like d365 and by attending our Maundy Thursday service on April 2 at 7 p.m. in Maresh Hall. 

The Family Lent Activity is this Sunday at noon. The Children’s Committee has crafted worshipful and engaging activities that help us learn the events leading up to Easter.

We will have 3 services on Easter Sunday (April 5) at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11 a.m. There will be no Sunday School. This will be a different kind of Easter, but it could be a really wonderful morning. We will have three lively and joyful services, concluding with communion around the flower cross in the courtyard after each service. 

April 19 is Woodland Fiesta. We will have food and fun at five on Sunday evening to celebrate one of our city's great eccentricities. I can’t promise Woodland pins, but it will be fun—5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Grace and peace, 

Garrett Vickrey
Senior Pastor