Dear Friends in Faith,
The Season of Lent is drawing us closer and closer to the cross. This Sunday we will recall Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem upon the back of a donkey, as people waved palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna!” This path of Jesus ultimately leads to the Upper Room where he shared a meal with his disciples and on to the cross where he was crucified. It is not an easy journey, but it is one that we must take to fully appreciate the joy of Easter and the gift of life.
Below you will find a prayer for Palm Sunday and our Holy Week schedule, along with other announcement and opportunities. May you have a blessed Holy Week.
Your Friend in Faith,
Pastor Kristabeth
Thou who art the soul and heart of life, save us from fear—the fear of days and nights yet to be, the fear of the known and the unknown, the fear that builds high walls around our spirits and our lives, the fear that closes in and envelops us, the fear that nibbles at the edges of every satisfaction. Free us from fear of failure and success, of shame and pain, of death and fear of life as well. Open our eyes that we may see thy glory in humbleness and simplicity, commonness strewn generously across our path all our days. May we recognize thee riding upon a simple beast of burden, down the crooked streets of Jerusalem. May we not require the palms of victory and praise, the accolades and shouts of the multitude to see thy glory in gentleness, patience, loving kindness and, yes, pain and sometimes death. Thy way of peace—of faith, hope, and love—still is our path, our joy, our way. Amen. ~David A. Johnson
Sunday, March 25 – Palm Sunday
Theme: Grace for our Fear
Scripture: Mark 1:1-11, Philippians 2:5-11
Sermon: “Left-Handed Power”
Pastor Kristabeth’s Schedule March 26-30
Monday – Office in the Morning, Afternoon Visits,
Tuesday – Lectionary Group, Office in the Morning
Wednesday – Office in the Morning, Afternoon work in the Community
Thursday – Office in the Morning, Maundy Thursday Worship 7pm
Friday – Good Friday Meditation 10am-2pm, Good Friday Worship in Shelburne 7pm
Lasagna Lunch – THIS SUNDAY
Our youth will again host our annual Palm Sunday Lasagna Lunch in Brand Hall following worship on Sunday, March 25. All are welcome! Donations are accepted. Hosanna! Lasagna!
Holy Week and Easter Worship:
Palm Sunday Worship, March 25 at 9:30am – Special Music and Palm Celebration
Maundy Thursday Worship with Tenebrae, Thursday, March 29 and 7pm – Worship and remember Jesus’ last meal with his disciples and his crucifixion on the cross as we share together in Communion and a service of Tenebrae.
Good Friday Meditation, Friday, March 30 from 10am-2pm – The Sanctuary will be open for a time of meditation and reflection on the Stations of the Cross
Good Friday Worship, Friday, March 30 at 7pm at Shelburne UMC – Our friends at the Shelburne United Methodist Church (30 Church St. Shelburne, VT) invite us to join them for Good Friday Worship.
Easter Sunrise Service, April 1 at 6:15am – Celebrate the Risen Christ as we watch the sun rise over Mt. Mansfield. Our Easter Sunrise Service takes place in the parking lot of the Wheeler Homestead (1100 Dorset St.) rain or shine.
Traditional Easter Worship at 9:30am in the Sanctuary
Easter Egg Hunts
We are not offering an East Egg Hunt this year, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to track the Easter Bunny! There are several great Easter Egg Hunts available in our area:
Easter Egg Hunt at Shelburne United Methodist Church
30 Church St., Shelburne, March 31, 10:00am – 11:00am
Egg Hunt at Williston Central School
195 Central School Drive, Williston, March 31,
8:45am
Easter Egg Hunt at Colchester’s Bayside Park
Bayside Park, Colchester, March 31, 10:00am
Apply Now for 2018-2019 General Scholarship from NEAC
The New England Conference Scholarship Committee is now accepting applications for the 2018-19 academic year. The deadline for submission is Thursday, May 31, 2018.
Current members of United Methodist churches in the New England Conference attending or planning to attend college or a post-secondary education institution are eligible. The application and required recommendation form are submitted online. Any questions can be directed to Scholarship Committee Chair Paul Carlotto at p.carlotto@verizon.net. You can find the application process here:
https://www.neumc.org/newsdetail/201819neacscholarship-11104327
New Member Conversations
Come join the new member conversations! The first class was after worship on March 4 but you can catch up! Other classes after worship on April 15 and April 22. Come if you are curious -you can decide to join – or not – as classes proceed.
Adult Study on “The Anatomy of Peace”
Starts Sunday, April 8 at 5pm
Pastor Kristabeth is offering an Adult Study on the book “The Anatomy of Peace.” It is one of the Bishop’s recommended books. Everyone is welcome to attend this eight-week study – Sunday evenings at 5pm starting April 8. We will meet in the Upper Elementary Room. The book is available on Amazon for $9.47 paperback ($9.15 Kindle). Speak with Pastor Kristabeth if you have any questions.
JUMP into Spring
April is our church’s month to collect food bags for the Joint Urban Ministry Project(JUMP). Last year we collected 23. Thank you goes to Hannafords on Dorset St for kindly donating the bags. Please see the display and the food list in the Gathering Space for more information. Thank you in advance for your generosity
Relationships Across Difference: Conversation Series with Fran Stoddard – “Bridging Faiths”
DATE: Wednesday, March 28, 2018
TIME: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM; doors open at 6:00 PM
LOCATION: All Souls Interfaith Gathering, 291 Bostwick Farm Road, Shelburne
FEE: Free
Join moderator Fran Stoddard, Vermont PBS producer/host, for a provocative conversation exploring relationship across difference. Distinguished guests (Basu Dhakal, Bidur Dahal, Melissa Ann O’Brien, and Kaylynn Sullivan TwoTrees) will discuss difference from diverse perspectives and how engagement with the natural world, each other, and diverse spiritual traditions may bridge the divide. Basu Dhakal, Bidur Dahal, Melissa Ann O’Brien, and Kaylynn Sullivan TwoTrees.
Men’s Breakfast – First Saturday of the month at 8am at Denny’s
Women’s Breakfast – Second Saturday of the month at 9am at Trader Dukes
