Weekly Greeting: April 2, Palm Sunday

Greetings Parish,

April has arrived, and my wife greeted me this morning with a report that we had almost forty turkeys on our front lawn. When I glanced outside, she toned, “April Fool’s.” Caught yet again. Tomorrow is Palm/Passion Sunday. We begin with the liturgy of the palms, and a combined choir/children anthem. The Prayer Wheel will be presented by participating youth and consecrated, and we will light a memorial candle for Jackie Peppe and Jan Randall who recently passed away. Rainbow Girls will be joining us and serving as acolyte, reader, greeters and ushers.

Later, the service will segue to the liturgy of the passion. The message will focus on the ‘Lamb of God who comes to remove the sins of the world.’ We will also share the sacrament of communion. Our PA system failed last Sunday and is waiting for new equipment, but Len Lednum has come to the rescue with one of his own systems to bridge the gap. I cannot exaggerate how grateful I am for his skill and assistance!

Tomorrow is also the last Sunday we will focus on the Helping Hands Fund for mission. To date, $2,337 has been contributed. (Bless you!) City Mission is closed for the month of April for a deep cleaning/reset for subsequent missional programming. Thank you for a herculean winter gift of hospitality!

I invite you to join us for special Holy Week services and programs:

    Maundy Thursday (with High Street Congregational at UMC of Auburn), 4/6, 7 pm, in person & livestream

   Good Friday Service at 12 Noon, 4/7, UMCA, in person

   Good Friday evening service (with High Street Congregational at High Street Congregational, 106 Pleasant St., Auburn), 4/7, 7 pm

   Easter SonRise service, Keene Residence, 775 N. River Road, Auburn, 4/9, 6 am (hot cross buns and coffee to follow)

   Easter Breakfast, 4/9, 8:30 – 10 am, UMCA, free-will donation to benefit the youth prayer-labyrinth restoration project

   Easter Resurrection Services, 4/9, 8:30 & 10:30 am, in person & online (carrot cake to follow)

      Church school children will enjoy a Holy City model and Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Youth Group

Finally, our new bishop, Peggy A. Johnson, will be visiting UMC of Auburn to meet the Many Waters District on Saturday, April 15, 2 pm. All are welcome to join in the welcoming celebration! There will be a zoom option available to those who register on the district website.

May your journey be one of contemplation and renewal,

Pastor Steve Bascom, Wider Parish (UMC of Auburn & Calvary UMC)