Weekly Note from Pastor Allan
April 11, 2025
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Friends,
I am sad to share that Carolyn Leake passed away last Thursday, April 3. Carolyn is related to many in our congregation, including her sister, Donna Harris. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Here is a link to her obituary - https://www.preddyfuneralhomes.com/carolyn-faith-leake. Please be in prayer for all of Carolyn’s family.
We are fast approaching Holy Week. This Sunday, in worship, we celebrate Palm Sunday. The Children and Youth will carry palm branches into worship during the prelude and offer special music. We will read the Palm Sunday story from Luke 19:28-40. The crowd of disciples is praising Jesus as he rides on a colt into Jerusalem. Some Pharisees tell Jesus to have the disciples be quiet, but Jesus replies that even if the crowd was quiet, the stones would cry out.
We will also read Philippians 2:5-11, well-known verses that served as a hymn of praise in the early church. The sermon will reflect on this early hymn. The title of the sermon is “If The Stones Could Talk”.
For those who have been participating in Lenten Prayer Partners, thank you. The final prompt, which is for the week beginning with Sunday, April 13 is to consider how we might maintain a spirit of humility from this Lenten season. Offer gratitude to God and to your partner for this season of prayer. Where do you seek resurrection in your life? Where do you see resurrection in your life?
Please be reminded of the additional worship services as we journey through Holy Week next week. On Thursday, April 17, we will gather for Maundy Thursday worship at 7:00 PM. This service begins remembering the events of the Last Supper, including our celebration of communion. We will also read through the narrative of Jesus’s arrest, trial, and crucifixion, ultimately leaving in silence and being reminded of the grief and sorrow of the death of our Lord.
On Easter Sunday, April 20, we will have a Sunrise Service in the MBC Prayer Garden. Beginning at 6:30 AM, there will be music playing for you to have a time to personal reflection. The service will begin at 7:00 AM. Following the service, we will have enjoy breakfast, which begins at 8 AM.
We will also join for worship at 9:30 AM, as we normally do, for a service including praise music, hymns, and other special music.
I hope you will be able to join us in-person or online as we remember the events of Holy Week, events that reveal the deep love God has for each of us through the Son, Jesus the Christ.
As a reminder, Vacation Bible School will be here before we know it! This Sunday, April 13, at 11:45 AM, will be the first VBS volunteer meeting.
Have a blessed weekend,
Allan
