We are walking through a new reality, as we cannot gather for Holy Week.
Our original plan for Holy Week this year, was to invite you to walk with Jesus in his life, cross, and suffering. We purchased tickets to watch Jesus’ life, on big screens for Maundy Thursday. Sight & Sound Theatre planned a national screening of their recent musical “Jesus.” On Good Friday, we planned a Cross Walk with our neighboring churches and a Good Friday Cantata, by our Chancel Choir, to invite you to the journey of the Cross. On Saturday, we were planning to open the church for prayer and fasting to join in the suffering of our Lord. And as you know all events had to be canceled.
On another note, this might be the first Holy Week that I don’t have any leading part in gatherings. As a pastor, Holy Week is one of the busiest weeks of the year. Without this busy schedule, which I don’t think will happen again, I am using this week to deepen myself into the meaning of being part of Christ’s suffering. And I pray that we will all do the same, through many different channels and opportunities.
Starting on Maundy Thursday, we remember the suffering of our Lord Jesus on the Cross. I would like to share some resources to help us center our hearts during this unique moment of our life.
Family Devotion Liturgy
Ministry Matters released a Home Worship Series starting on Maundy Thursday.
Please use this as a resource to gather your family around and share and reflect on the meaning of Christ’s suffering.
My suggestion is that you use about 30 mins after dinner. Clean the dishes and gather everyone. If available, use a candle to remember the light of Christ shining in our house and start the gathering with lighting the candle. Print out the liturgy, and ask everyone to bring their Bibles. Assign readings before you start. After reading the Scripture, talk about the meaning of each day and share your thoughts and questions about the Scripture you read. Share any prayer requests you have for the day. Please include a prayer for our church, as we will gathering for our Easter Sunday online.
Please click the following link to download the liturgy
Maundy Thursday Home Worship
Good Friday Home Worship
Easter Vigil Home Worship
Need more information about Maundy Thursday and Good Friday?
Check out our Easter Page by clicking here
Virtual Streaming Options for Good Friday and Saturday
Virtual Good Friday Cantata
We are excited to announce our rebroadcast of last year’s Good Friday Cantata!
We are thankful for Debra LeBrun, Director of Worship, who prepared and remastered last year’s Good Friday Cantata for us to rebroadcast this coming week.
Thank you once more to our Chancel Choir, and to technology for us to tune in and remember the meaning of Christ’s suffering on the Cross.
Date: Friday, April 10th, 2020
Time: 7:00 pm
Where to watch
Webpage: www.rcumc.org/watch
Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/rcumc
Youtube Live: www.Youtube.com/ and search Raleigh Court United
Sight & Sound Jesus Musical
Sight & Sound Theatre is broadcasting the Jesus Musical on TBN (Trinity Broadcast Network) on Saturday 1 PM. If you download the TBN app, the musical will be available anytime during April 10th (Friday) – April 12th (Easter Sunday).
This was the movie event we wanted to invite you to Maundy Thursday, and we are excited that there are other options for us to share this experience.
For more information about this event click the following link
https://jesusevent.com/
More Family Friendly Activities for Holy Week & Easter
We are all missing the fact that we will not be gathering together for our traditional Church Easter Egg Hunt. While the ideas this resource offers won’t replace the fellowship and laughter we have with our church family, they may add a new family tradition to your own egg hunt.
HOLY WEEK & EGG HUNT RESOURCE
Easter Sunday Invitation
Along with this email, we sent an Easter Sunday Invitation in another email you should have received. At the bottom of the other email, you will find a share tab. You may share the invitation via Facebook, Twitter, or email. Pray and seek who God is asking you to pray for and invite. Share the email and invite them to our Easter Sunday Online Worship!
Easter Afternoon Worship with Bishop Lewis
On Easter Sunday afternoon, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis, Resident Bishop of Virginia Annual Conference, will lead worship for all Virginia United Methodists.
Click the image or this link to join the worship at 3:45 pm on Easter Sunday
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