Max’s Corner

Last Sunday—Palm Sunday

It was a memorable Sunday.

What a great lunch! Thanks to Bill and Linda Parker and all who brought food.

Folks called me to comment on the choral anthem, the great piece by G. F. Handel. It had all of us rejoicing. We thank the Lord for the blessings of the day.

Holy Thursday—7:00 p.m.

I don’t mention it is Friday’s Word, which comes out the day after. I hope you can come on Thursday evening. (Light supper at 6:30 before worship.)

Mary will lead this service.

What’s it all about? It is about celebrating our Lord on the yearly anniversary of the Last Supper.

“Do this,” he said, “in remembrance of me.”

Good Friday—7:00 p.m.

Light supper at 6:30.

The crucifixion narrative from John (and “the beloved disciple”) will be illustrated with a life-sized image of the Shroud. The image will be mounted on a 7-foot piece of plexiglass. I am working on how I will get
this large piece of plexiglass to the church from Oak Cliff Glass and Mirror in Dallas. Then, how do I make it stand up at the front of the church?

Is it worth all this effort?

The Good Friday service is—for me—the most important service of the year. I consider it a privilege to be part of it.

It is always a hard service to prepare for.

And this year, it will be different from all previous years. Come, if you can.

Easter Sunday

Egg hunt for the kids at 10:00.

The great Hallelujah of Easter begins at 11:00.

Our great choir. A brass quintet. Lilies fill the sanctuary. Joy abounds.

You know how it is.

And I can hardly wait.

God bless—MB

Mary’s Corner

Greetings to all from the risen Christ, 

We follow the risen Christ, but we are still in that time of waiting for the inevitable. We know that Calvary is coming, that the cross has to happen. One day they shouted, “Hosanna!”, and a few days later, “Crucify Him!” We have learned of the depth and breadth of God’s love through God’s actions on the cross. We also experienced that love now, in this moment. As I write and as you read, the love of God surrounds us both. Close your eyes and feel the breath of God blowing across your life. Become aware of the warmth of the Savior standing next to you. Be aware of the little things that God uses to feed your spirit and empower your faith. God is in us and through us and all around us. God is mystery and God is light. Picture in your mind that God made flesh and dwelling among us as Jesus of Nazareth is spending the last, few precious hours telling the world that we are loved and we are forgiven. There is nothing greater than this. Thursday evening we will talk briefly and then have communion together, remembering the last supper of our Lord. 

I just received word that Anna is being transferred from the hospital to a physical rehab facility.! This is the next step in her journey toward health. I am so grateful for your love and your support of my family. We would not have survived this without you. My love to all, Mary

Kids’ News

Be at church early this Sunday! We will have lots of eggs for our kids to find! The Easter Bunny told me that there are a lot of goodies in the eggs!

Be at church by 9:45. Our Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 10:00 sharp. Please do not be late!

Bring Mom and Dad to help you open all your eggs! You may be the lucky one to find the Golden Egg! We will have crafts in the fellowship hall that you can work on before our hunt! Remember that time — 9:45!! We will have a movie and popcorn during church for all you kids to enjoy while Mom and Dad are in church!

This last Sunday our kids carried in palm leaves and shouted as they entered church! All this shouting was to welcome Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. People were excited as Jesus entered the city, they gave him the same greeting that a king would receive in those days. They spread palm leaves and their clothes on the road for Jesus to walk on.

As Jesus passed, the crowds shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” By riding a donkey instead of a horse, Jesus said that he came in peace. We can remember the palm leaves as a symbol and a way to praise God.

See you all in church on Sunday! Blessings

Max’s Corner

Palm Sunday

Holy Week begins.

The entrance into Jerusalem.

Remembered in our Parade of the Palms.

It’s a day of celebration, with our Palm Sunday dinner after worship.

We need food.

We passed a sign-up sheet last week. If you did not see it, you can still bring something. (I think a lot of people did not see the list and the sign-up looked insufficient. If you want to know what is needed, call Linda Parker: 817 296 0064.)

Palm Sunday is a great Sunday.

And we need kids to carry the palms!

Breakfast

None this week.

We have lunch after.

Holy Week Services

The two Holy Week services are important.

I hope they are important to you.

Mary will lead the Maundy Thursday service. It may be a little different. It may not. Depending on what Mary decides. Let us gather on the anniversary of the Last Supper our Lord had with the disciples.

It was important for him.

Let it be for us.

Good Friday this year WILL be different. It will feature a life-sized reproduction of the image on the Shroud (of Turin). It will assist us as we follow Jesus in the last hours of his life.

This is one of the most important services of the year. I hope it is important to you.

See you Sunday. Palm Sunday.

What joy!—What love awaits us in the coming week of worship!

Remember plastic eggs and candy for the kids.

Remember kids for the palm processional and for the Easter egg hunt on Easter.

God bless—MB

Mary’s Corner

Hello dear Church. And hello to all our wonderful friends and our extended family. It was so good to be back at church on Sunday. I needed the love and the joy of your singing, the sound of your voices, and the hugs I got. Thank you for allowing me space in this adventure. And thank you for your support and your love throughout this whole thing. I am overwhelmed and my family is overwhelmed by your love and support. This is what the Church looks like. This is what Jesus meant when he said to us to gather together. I love you and I will see you on Sunday.