A different Holy Week
In this week, Holy Week, we tell the central story of our faith. It is the story of God's deep and abiding love for us and for all creation. It is the story of Jesus' solidarity with us in suffering. It is the story of God's promise to be with us everywhere - when we are in anguish and uncertain, in the midst of our betrayal and denial, in our suffering and death, and even in the depths of hell. It is the story of God's assurance that death never has the last word, and that the power of God can transform even the most hopeless of circumstances into places we see the surprising, grace-filled glory of God.
So much of Holy Week is meant to be embodied, experienced. It is a week for all our senses - the taste of the bread and cup as we remember Jesus' last meal with his friends. The coolness of water and the softness of the towel washing tired feet. The sound of singing together, voices blended into one. The smell of candles and flowers. The interplay of light and dark, fullness and emptiness, sound and silence.
For this reason, and many other reasons, this week will be especially difficult this year. How do you even have Holy Week apart from these experiences? Cut off from these familiar motions, I wonder if, this year, we might more fully experience some other parts of the story.
Perhaps Jesus' anguished prayer in the garden - "Father, let this cup pass from me" - will also be on our own lips as we struggle to make it through the fear and anxiety and difficulty that still lies ahead. Or perhaps, like the disciples, we are so exhausted that we just cannot stay awake to keep watch.
Perhaps our own sense of loneliness and isolation will call to mind Jesus on the cross - his friends gone, darkness shadowing the land, a deep feeling of being abandoned and forsaken.
Perhaps Easter will surprise us anew as we hear the good news, hidden at home like the disciples, fearful and uncertain: Christ is risen! Do not be afraid!
We are missing much from our Holy Week and Easter observances this year - no egg hunts, no in-person worship, no Communion, no large family dinner. Missing much, and yet we rejoice that even now God is with us; rejoice that because Jesus lives, we shall live also.
With hope,
Pastor Kerri
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Resources for Holy Week
Click the links below to listen to some familiar hymns, recorded by Valerie, as we move through the week.
Go to Dark Gethsemane
Were You There
Welcome, Happy Morning
Our SWPA Synod Office staff will be sharing videos of the Easter Vigil readings on Saturday - view them on their YouTube Channel.
The play "Jesus" from Sight & Sound Theatres is available for free viewing on demand this weekend online or on TBN.
If you print, assemble, and color this Alleluia poster from Illustrated Ministry, please send a picture of it to Pastor Kerri or the office!
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Offering
Thank you for your faithful and generous giving even in these uncertain times. Checks may be mailed to the church (the mail is checked daily), or you may wish to set up automatic bill pay through your bank. Online giving options are in the works. Please contact Rod Gunderson (Treasurer) or Cindy Workman (Financial Secretary) if you have questions.
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Dial-a-Hymn with Valerie
Valerie Stipcak, our organist, has offered a “dial-a-hymn” service for anyone who would wish it! On Sundays between 11am and noon, you may call Valerie at 724-388-1038 to request a hymn, which she will play over the phone for you. If she doesn’t answer, leave a message and she’ll call back.
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Bible Storytime
Join Pastor Kerri and Wade on Trinity's Facebook page on Thursdays at 10:30am for a story and songs together. Here's last week's video.
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Christ in Our Home devotion book
Paper copies of the April/May/June Christ in Our Home devotion book are available to be mailed to you; please contact the office to request one.
Alternatively, Augsburg Fortress is offering complimentary email subscriptions at this time. Click the button below to sign up.
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In Our Prayers
To add a name to the prayer list, contact Pastor Kerri or the office.
Katy Cimino, Kolbe Cunningham, the Richter-Harris family, Carol Ritenour,
Melva Roland, Dick Shawley
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Daily Bible Readings
Wednesday, April 8
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 70
Hebrews 12:1-3
John 13:21-32
Thursday, April 9 – Maundy Thursday
Exodus 12:1-4 [5-10] 11-14
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Friday, April 10 - Good Friday
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Psalm 22
Hebrews 10:16-25
John 18:1-19:42
Saturday, April 11 - Resurrection of Our Lord, Vigil of Easter
Romans 6:3-11
John 20:1-18
Sunday, April 12 - Resurrection of Our Lord - Easter Day
Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 28:1-10
Monday, April 13
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21
Colossians 3:5-11
Tuesday, April 14
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Exodus 15:1-18
Colossians 3:12-17
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To reach Pastor Kerri, call or text 724-603-5589, or email her at rev.kerri.clark@gmail.com
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