Blessings for this Holy Week and Easter

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
 As I write this letter everything is covered in white and I have decided not to swap my snow tires for summer tires today as planned.  My daffodils and other spring bulbs are beginning to bloom, our grass will soon need to be mowed and the birds are staking out their territories.  My taxes are with the accountant, I have begun to prepare my flowerbeds and I am finally recovering from my respiratory infections.  Such is spring in Michigan!
 Just as in spring we see the trees take on a blush of green and red and the frozen, hard ground soften and spring forth with new life, so Easter reminds us that from the cold, dormant parts of our lives, new life can also spring forth.  Yes, resurrection is the resurrection of Jesus Christ some 2000 years ago and our bodily resurrection at the end times, but resurrection also occurs regularly in our lives now.  From those dark, dry times in our lives new life can grow!  With the loss of one job, come opportunities for new challenges.  From the gloom of middle age and health issues grows the realization that life is not over but can be embraced at every stage, that life is precious and sacred. 
 Attached is our 2017 Holy Week Schedule.  Holy Week and Easter is the biggest and most important festival of our Christian church year.  I hope you will plan to join us for as many services as you are able.
 Blessings for Holy Week and a Joyous Easter,
 Mother Darlene+

2017 Holy Week Schedule
 
Saturday, April 8th
8:30 am – Morning Prayer
9:00 am – Acolyte Training
10:00 am – Altar Guild Work Meeting
4:30 pm – Evening Prayer & Reading of Matthew
 
Sunday, April 9th at 9:30 am
Liturgy of the Palms – Parish Hall
Passion Sunday Service
Christian Formation
 
Monday, April 10th at 5:30 pm
Stations of the Cross
 
Wednesday, April 12th at noon
Lenten Lunch at Grace Temple
 
Thursday, April 13th at 5:30 pm
Maundy Thursday Service with Foot Washing
Stripping of the Altar
 
Friday, April 14th
12:00-1:30 pm – Seven Last Words of Christ at St. James’ Episcopal
6:00 pm - Good Friday Service at First United Methodist Church
 
Saturday, April 15th
9:00 am – Holy Saturday Service
9:30 am – Altar Guild setup for Easter
5:30 pm – Easter Vigil & Confirmation at St Andrews Grand Rapids
8:30 pm – Easter Vigil at Trinity Marshall
 
Sunday, April 16th
9:30 am – Easter Sunday Service