ESUMC News­let­ter

Dear friends in Christ, 

As we continue together along our Lenten journey of faith, I bring you greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

The last few weeks have been a meaningful time of worship, reflection, and service. Our Sunday morning Scripture readings have encouraged us to turn to God, with honest and hopeful hearts, and receive God's gifts of grace and forgiveness. In worship on Sunday 1 March, our District Superintendent Rev. Stefan Schröckenfuchs preached on the importance of "loving boldly," then led us during our annual Charge Conference in a reflection upon how we as a congregation can boldly love others in our community. Every Tuesday evening in Lent, more than a dozen church members have gathered via Zoom to learn about John Wesley's means of grace, those ordinary moments, such as worship or Bible reading, through which God offers us the blessing of divine grace. And this week we are bringing our winter Wärmestube ministry to a close, with thanksgiving to all our volunteers who have helped us serve a record number of meals this winter.

This Sunday we shall gather in worship to celebrate Palm Sunday, the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem for the last time; our children will lead our celebration of worship with their procession of the palms. Then we shall commemorate Holy Week with a series of worship services: 

• Maundy Thursday service of foot washing and Holy Communion on 2 April at 18:30;
• Good Friday service of prayer and penitence on 3 April at 17:30;
• Holy Saturday service of the procession of the holy fire into the sanctuary (hosted by the Fünfhaus Gemeinde) on 4 April at 20:00;
• Easter Sunday celebration of Jesus' resurrection on 5 April at 11:15.

Please see a complete list of Holy Week and Easter worship services.

As our Lenten journey comes to a close, may God bless you and your loved ones. I pray that through your spiritual disciplines in this season, you have found close communion with God, who has pledged to remain with us and never forsake us. May this truth give us assurance and hope, and the courage to confess our sins and receive God's great gifts of forgiveness and salvation.

Lastly, please note that on Sunday 12 April starting at 10:30, we shall celebrate our annual Joint Worship Service with our sisters and brothers of the German-speaking Fünfhaus Gemeinde. Please note the earlier starting time and join us for this festival day of worship.

May God's blessings and peace be with you all, and I look forward to seeing you in these most holy days ahead.

Yours in Christ, Pastor John