Holy Week
John 3:16-17.“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him" is perhaps the most remembered and quoted gospel text.
During Holy Week, we see in real time what that love looks like by remembering and honoring the specifics of Jesus' suffering, death and, ultimately, his resurrection.
What is not at all specified in the Holy Week readings, but is made clear in John, is the "why?" of Holy Week. Why would God, who is so powerful that he spoke reality into being, suffer and die for us? The resurrection is a victory over sin and death, but kind of what you would expect from any god. But, God's love is most powerfully exhibited by the Christ's willingness to suffer at our hands and die for us. Through Christ's death and resurrection we are saved from sin and death as well.
Join us as we mourn, ponder, give humble thanks and celebrate this Holy Week. God's love is a wonder to behold and Holy Week it is on display like no other time.
Sunday, April 2 – Palm Sunday – Worship at 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 6 – Maundy Thursday – Worship at 7 p.m.
Friday, April 7 – Good Friday – Worship at 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 9 – Easter Day – Worship at 9:30 a.m.
All services are in person and also available on YouTube.
Zufall Health – Another look: Veterans
Many veterans are eligible for medical treatment through Veterans Administration benefits. Unfortunately, many vets can’t get to a VA facility. Zufall provides veterans and their families with medical and dental treatment near their homes. Zufall also provides dental services at the Morris County Veterans' Center in Morris Township. In collaboration with the County of Morris, the Zufall Health-Delta Dental Mobile comes to the clinic site, where veterans who do not receive VA dental benefits will receive free dental screenings and a discount on follow-up treatment. This program is supported by a grant from the Arconic Foundation. FYI, in 2020, the company, Acronic, split into two businesses, Alcoa Corp. and Howmet Aerospace. When you have a moment, look on the back of one of the Zufall fliers to see the many Zufall centers located in seven New Jersey counties. If you know veterans who could benefit from the services identified above, they can contact Zufall at 18 West Blackwell St., Dover by phone at 973-328-9100, or by email toinfo@zufallhealth.org Clothing and other items used to work safely in the outdoor sun and heat are needed by day laborers who work in local farm fields and in yards serviced by landscapers. Look for the donation tally sheet on the bulletin board for what has been donated so far. Thank you to those who have already donated about 100 pairs of socks, some hats, shirts, and wipes. If you have not yet purchased an item or two, the following items have been suggested by Zufall:
–colored dark socks
–colored dark undershirts
–rain ponchos
–hats with brims and neck protection (if possible)
–sunscreen
–umbrellas
–cleansing wipes such as baby wipes
Need a shopping list? When you are at church, pick one up from the Zufall display. If you wish to make a monetary donation, please make out checks to “TLC” with “Zufall” on the memo line. If you prefer to give a cash donation, just place it in the container marked "Zufall."
Zufall has been around for many years. The scope and the availability of Zufall’s services are amazing.
Next week: Zufall and Migrant Workers Sandy Dean
Living for Giving
Advocacy Recap—Some past and current New Jersey legislative bills are more closely scrutinized, discussed, rehashed or tweaked.
Elections Transparency Act—looks good, but look closely. What do you think?
Farm Bill—You have an opportunity to register to listen to and become more informed. It just takes a click on the link.
Salary Transparency Bills – When businesses advertise jobs, they must also show salary ranges. Posting of positions must be internal and external.
This additional end-of-the-week posting by Pastor Lilja allows us to follow the progress of some New Jersey legislation, positively or negatively, with the opportunity of learning more or offering input. Click hereto learn more.
Sandy Dean
Does Death Win?
A scourging at the pillar leads to
HIS first arduous step out of
Jerusalem onto the stone street,
Sand and dirt swirl in the
air mixing with a cacophony of
spectator shouts, blending with
the scent of human sweat, Today -
HE is human, among humans.
Burdened with a wooden cross -
splintered with the sins of man,
wearily HE walks as the crowd hurls
deafening shouts and taunts, then
spitting - all to humiliate, an
occasional sound of weeping, With
each step the earth gathers darkness.
A crown of thorns pressing
deep into bronzed skin.
Pain, slow and agonizing.
A mix of blood and sweat dripping -
blurring dark sullen eyes, Blood
trickling into hollowed cheeks,
blood spilling into the desperation of the day
Arriving in a wasteland of sin,
stripping HIS robe now frayed and
torn, Nails driven into flesh -
excruciating pain of crucifixion,
Metallic smell of blood hangs heavy
in the air, Lifting the cross toward the
heavens, onlookers mocking,
HIS throat dry and parched
The heartache of taking in
HIS mother's grief, Enduring
torment knowing HE must die
for our sins -
a sacrifice for mankind, Darkness
descends upon Earth, A loss
of consciousness -
suffering DEATH...
silenced by man
placed in a tomb.
–Maryann Medore
The "Fruit for Greystone" ministry provides an extra, healthful treat to Greystone's patients, who continue to lack sufficient fruit with their meals.
If you wish to offer donations, please include them in your weekly offerings, or by mailing your checks to Trinity, indicating your contributions are for the "Fruit for Greystone" ministry. Thank you!
March Food Pantry Contributions
Ray of Hope Foundation, Mine Hill Connect for Community, Sparta Rise-Up, Rockaway Alfred V. Gellene, Esq. Joan Valentine Elva Castro Jennifer Park Richard Faas Rotary Club of Dover Grace Episcopal Church, Madison
36 Volunteers 118 Bags of groceries distributed
We still need egg cartons for the food pantry, so bring in your one-dozen size cartons, please. Thank you!
If you are interested in seeing the play Rent at the Paper Mill Playhouse on Sunday, July 2, please sign up on the sheet in the narthex. Tickets are $73, and checks can be made payable to "Kathy McFarland." Please have your check to Kathy by May 28. If you have any questions, please call Kathy on her cell phone at 973-769-4184.
Loosely based on Puccini’s La Bohème, Jonathan Larson’s Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York City’s Lower East Side in the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon, with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.
If you would like someone added to or deleted from our prayer list, please let Kathy McFarland know by Wednesday. Thank you.
Trinity members Marion Holtzman
Ann Marie Stager
Friends and family of TLC members
Elaine Tracy (Bev Dominkowitz's friend)
Deanna Ryan-Meister (Charlie Haas's friend)
Pastor Bob Kriesat (Mabel Roy and Linda Gallup's friend)
Carol Rothenburgh (Dawn Rothenburgh-Rollins's mother)
Dan McFarland (Kathy McFarland's husband)
Gary Knodler and Scott Moser (Donna Hopping's friends)
Sue Nobelman (Carol Johnson's friend)
Gene Cutler (Becky Wawroski's friend)
Michael Sergent (Pauline Chrenko's cousin)
Ray Fullam (Carol Johnson's friend)
Joe Sandford (Samantha Kindberg Sandford's husband)
Laura (Elaine and Gary Tarantino's friend) Becky Lilja (Rev. Sara Lilja's sister)
Barbara Houser (Neil Holtzman’s sister)
Palm Sunday April 2, 2023 Tomorrow's worship service will be in-person and online.
Rev. Fred Becker, Pastor (pastor@tlcnj.org) Kathy McFarland, Church Administrator (office@tlcnj.org) Katie Serbeck, Technology and Social Media Coordinator
(serbeckk1@gmail.com) Lynn Sienkiewicz, RN, Parish Nurse
Julie Sauder, Organist
Kevin Seidel, Choir Director
Ralph Gonzalez, Sexton
Judy Miller, Executive Director of Faith Kitchen
