Palm Sunday

6th Sunday in Lent | Palm Sunday
Just these lines …

… to say that Sunday was a meaningful day in so many ways with beautiful prayers, a bit of warmth for our warm hearts in the Sanctuary, and of course, the music: Ashley Broome singing Pie Jesu, the Ringtones playing The Great Gate of Kiev, the Sanctuary Choir singing My Faith Looks Up to Thee, and Shannon Remley and our Praise Band with a stunning arrangement of the Plowshare Prayer (based on Isaiah 2:4). If you’ve never heard this song, it will stop you in your tracks. Click here to listen to Shannon’s rendition of the song, and click here for the complete worship services.

In just a few short days we make our entrance into Holy Week with Palm Sunday. I post again for you, Leslee Mabee’s gorgeous poem, The First Palm Sunday. Leslee is a writer, poet, Sanctuary Choir member and humble servant in our church. Here is her beautiful poem:

The First Palm Sunday

The antithesis to royalty.
No trumpets blasting blare.
No thrum, thrum, thrum of marching boots
or rattling sabers there.

No parade of force or might
or weapons one by one.
No military dominance,
nor blasts from fired guns.

Just waving palms and grasping hands.
Crowds strain to see the One
who rides atop a dusty colt.
Hail God’s anointed Son!

The clamoring of crowds so loud –
Their cheering filled the air.
Instead of flags and banners, though,
Just praises for the Heir.

Video Devotional

A beloved African American spiritual asks, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” Now, why ask this question? The answer is no. None of us were there.

But you see, the wisdom of the song is its’ invitation to imagine the events – one by one – and tremble. Please click HERE & let’s talk about The Coming Week.

 

 

• Jerusalem Marketplace – Sunday, April 13, 9 am – 12 pm in the Gym.
• Order Easter Lilies in memory or celebration of a loved one by April 13! Details
• Community Easter Egg Hunt – Saturday, April 19, 6-8 pm. Please VOLUNTEER or DONATE to this fun event!
• Maundy Thursday Worship – The Last Supper Service led by Rainbow Express Ministries – Thursday, April 17, 7 pm in the Sanctuary
• Good Friday Tenebrae Service of Shadows with Special Music Presentation – Friday, April 18, 7 pm in the Sanctuary
• EASTER SUNDAY SERVICES:
  •  6:30 – Sunrise Service (Sanctuary Lot)
  • 8:15 & 11:00 Traditional Worship (Sanctuary & Livestream)
  • 9:30 Contemporary Worship (Sanctuary & Livestream)
  • 9:30 United Kids Ministry presents Easter Jam Service (Gym)
  • 10:30 Butterfly Release (Courtyard – Weather Permitting)
  • Centro Cristiano Hosanna Servicio en Espanol: 6:30 am (Eagle’s Nest) & 12:30 pm (Sanctuary)

Nursery for 3 & under is provided for all worship hours (except for Sunrise), & there will be NO United Kids or Youth Sunday Morning Small Groups.

ASL interpretation available for in-person Holy Week services: Palm Sunday at 11 am, Maundy Thursday at 7 pm, Good Friday at 7 pm, Easter Sunday at 11 am.

Other Upcoming Events

• Saturday Serve – Landscaping, painting & beautification for Global Impact Partners from 9am-Noon on April 26 at Blessed Assurance, May 3 at Rainbow Express Ministries, May 17 at Turning Point Treehouse & Greenway Park Elementary. Register here
• All-Church Gathering – Monday, April 28, 7 pm in the Sanctuary. (Arrive 6:30 for fellowship & refreshments.) Meet our New Pastors!

This Sunday in Worship

We invite you to join us this Sunday in person at 8:15 (Traditional), 9:30 (Contemporary), 11:00 (Traditional), or online at 9:30, 11:00 or 12:30 (Spanish – in person or here on demand).

This Sunday in our Spanish-speaking service (CCH), Pastor Roldan will be preaching from Psalm 118:19-29, and his sermon title is A Worthy Praise for our Lord.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, and we continue into week six of our Lenten worship series, Shaping the Virtuous Heart: Restoring Our Communities and Redeeming Our Souls. My sermon is on what many think is the most controversial of all the ancient virtues – hope. It is titled At the Bottom of the Box from Matthew 21:8-11.

I can’t imagine a better couple of Sundays (Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday) for you to invite someone to church with you. If you know of anyone that needs a little hope, then bring them with you. I hear there may even be a donkey walking the aisles of our Sanctuary and meeting children in the Gym at the Jerusalem Marketplace.

And now, as always, during these strange, uncertain, and yet hope-filled days. Remember … God does God’s best work in moments like this.

Shaping the Virtuous Heart.
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

Did you know that high school senior Cade Helms, who sings with the Sanctuary Choir, is performing the lead role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables at CATA in Monroe this coming Friday and Saturday nights at 7 pm? Cade will be attending college in the fall, majoring in Music Theater. You can purchase tickets here.

Did you know that Will Thames played the organ at the Charlotte Knights game on March 29? He played during the gate admissions, during breaks of the game, and Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the 7th inning stretch. View a short clip here.

Did you know that Gina Wilson, daughter-in-law of Pastor Chuck & Karen Wilson, spoke at the Delia Lemmond Circle of the United Women in Faith on April 2? She shared her story of how she started “For Mama’s,” a nonprofit that teaches midwives how to resuscitate babies just born who need breathing assistance. This medical service is being expanded in Zanzibar, and surrounding areas in East Africa.

Did you know that the Faith Sunday School Class generously purchased $1000 of tools for the tool trailer going to the Disaster Recovery Center in Asheville, NC? We continue to collect tools until April 30 and there are now 25 tools remaining on the list. Click here to purchase a tool today! THANK YOU from Global Impact/Disaster Relief.

Did you know that United Kids Families experienced the events of Holy Week through interactive stations and skits during Family Worship this past Sunday? Kids received special charms at each station which they crafted into a backpack clip to remind them of these special events and of how Jesus gave His life on the cross to save us.

Did you know that lots of people wore blue on Sunday in support of Brave Step (a Global Impact Partner) and their Color It Blue Movement bringing attention to the fact that everyone is impacted by sexual violence? April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month; join Brave Step as we Color It Blue!

Did you know that there is a giant vine climbing the wall at Pastor Corey’s office covered in caterpillars made and named by our United Kids Sunday groups? Come by and take a look at their creativity and join the excitement as we look forward to our Butterfly Release following the 9:30 service on Easter Sunday.