Dear Middletown Reformed Church Family and Friends,
Lenten blessings to you, beloved of God
It is Holy Week and I am praying you are taking the time to be intentionally in the presence of God during this most sacred of seasons. Below are our worship offerings for the week.
Maundy Thursday, 7 PM
All are welcome this Maundy Thursday when we will remember the night Jesus washed his disciples' feet; the night he was betrayed; the night he was denied; and the night he gave us a new commandment to love one another as he loves us.
Prayer
Music
Scripture
Reflection
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
Stillness
Reverence
Remembrance
And then, waiting
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. Gospel of John 13.35
Good Friday
The sanctuary will be open 9 AM-12 PM for quiet prayer and meditation as we remember Jesus' death on the cross.
Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. Gospel of Luke 23.46
Easter Sunday
Alleluia! He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! Come and worship our resurrected Lord at 10:30 AM. And, of course, we will have our annual ‘holy chaos’ of the Easter egg hunt following worship on the Great Lawn.
The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Gospel of Luke 24.5
For more information, please click on this link for a personal Easter message from me:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/2Qt48ABbDrkniEfqioAJpyu50iL1sm_3BSc36iZlM_kAQgVlwTPnw1hVJpatj3kLAfHAKZI45hrIFWqI.cYvvPBum-aFlCrZg?autoplay=true&startTime=1744825651000
Lastly, I am very aware that we are living in uncertain and challenging times, especially as it pertains to our economic conditions. People (and non-profit organizations) are having to make difficult decisions regarding spending with limited resources — whether it be on groceries, needed medical care and medicine, rent/mortgage payments, gas bills, you name it. We are feeling this at the church, also. That said, you have always been so generous with your time, ministry gifts, and money, especially when I have put out the call to help our local food pantries, the homeless in Lakewood, or building repairs, and I am deeply grateful. So, as you are able, the Consistory and I invite you to donate online (www.mrchurch.us/give) or bring a special Easter offering to church in addition to your regular offering so we can continue to do the good, transformative, reign of God work to which we have been called. Whatever you can give, may you do so with a glad and generous heart as we rejoice that Christ is Risen. He is Risen, indeed!
Keep following Jesus, beloved. I hope to see you this week in worship.
With gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,
Pastor Trish