April 10, 2025 | Weekly Newsletter

Holy Week begins this Palm Sunday (10:00 AM | Sanctuary: Faure’s Requiem; and Online).

Jesus rides into the gates of Jerusalem on the back of a colt. He is met with wild excitement and shouts of "Hosannas".

On Maundy Thursday, ( 7:00 PM | Art Gallery: Taize, Communion, Anointing; and Online) Jesus sits with his friends and talks about the power of the commandment to love one another.

On Good Friday, (7:00 PM Service of Tenebrae | Sanctuary and Online) Jesus is betrayed, publicly humiliated, and left on a cross to die.

Your church is offering worship throughout Holy Week.

Why do we do this?

We bear witness and remember this story because the triumph of Easter Sunday is built upon the heartbreak and desolations wrought by love and fear and betrayal.

We offer Holy Week services to you because this year–perhaps more than any other–it feels as though we dare not look away from the lessons of Jesus: The command to love, the power of fear-stoked violence, and the reality that crucifixions are no long-ago story.

I earnestly invite you to come to each of the services–online or in person.  

I know, life is busy.

And, the witness of Holy Week is real. We feel in our bones and read in the newspapers the real of it all.

Come to church. Together, we can do this hard thing.

Pastor Elizabeth

Sanctuary Choir to present Fauré's Requiem this Sunday!

A Message from Sally Messner and the Worship and Music Team

April 13th is Palm Sunday, the day of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and the beginning of our sacred walk into Holy Week. We will shout "Hosanna" and process with palms at the beginning of the service. Then, in the second half of the service, we will meditate on Jesus' Passion as the Sanctuary Choir and soloists present Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem in a new edition by David Hill, set for organ, harp, violin, and cello. 

Men's Gathering on Saturday Morning

A Message from Bill Tipping

Please join us on April 12 from 9–11AM in the Church of Youth at our second Men's Gathering. Our time together will include fellowship, coffee, devotions, storytelling, wisdom sharing, some simple singing, and most likely another interesting thing or two. 

This Week in Hennepin History

Written by Phil Wala

The week of April 9-15: Hennepin Avenue M. E. Church has engaged a contractor for the construction of a new church building on the southwest corner of 10th and Hennepin. Although the article says it will be built of yellow brick, they will ultimately use red brick instead, and the building will come to be known as “the red brick church.” Read More

Share Your Holy Week Moments

by Pastor Laura Hannah

Holy Week at Hennepin is filled with sacred beauty, moving rituals, and unforgettable moments of community. Whether you snapped a photo of communion on Maundy Thursday, the cross on Good Friday, or joyful faces on Easter morning, we’d love to see the week through your eyes. Please share your favorite photos with us by emailing them to communications@haumc.org.

We may feature them in upcoming newsletters, social media, or worship slides. Thank you for helping us tell the story of resurrection through your lens.

Celebrate and Explore!

50-Year Member Recognition Luncheon on May 2

It’s time to celebrate! You’re invited to attend this year’s 50-Year Member Recognition Luncheon. Come, recognize Hennepin’s newest 50-year members and explore the world of glass artistry from FOCI Minnesota Center for Glass Arts. Executive Director Julie Strand-Blomgren and Gallery Coordinator Emily McBride will highlight the artistry and creative potential of glass. All attending receive a special memento from FOCI. 

Make your reservation by Tuesday, April 22. Read More and RSVP

Share Your “Why Hennepin” Story

Collecting Short Reflections to Share

Whether you've been part of Hennepin for decades or just found us online recently, you have a story to tell, and we’d love to hear it.

We’re collecting short reflections from our community about what makes Hennepin Avenue UMC meaningful to you. Is it the music? The justice work? A moment of welcome? A deep sense of belonging? Whatever it is, your story can help others find connection and hope. Here’s how you can share:

• Write 1–2 sentences or a short paragraph about why Hennepin matters to you
• If you’re comfortable, include a photo of yourself from your time at Hennepin (past or present!)
• Email it to communications@haumc.org with the subject line “Why Hennepin”

We’ll be sharing these stories on social media in the coming weeks and maybe beyond. The sooner you send yours, the sooner we can celebrate it! Thanks for being part of what makes Hennepin such a vibrant, faithful community.

Show Your Love for Hennepin – Forever

Legacy Giving by Jack Fistler

It's simple to do. In your financial plans, consider including Hennepin as a beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy. You can assign a percentage of the plan and it costs you nothing to create. Your gift intent becomes active after your lifetime, your current finances are not impacted. Contact your plan administrator for a beneficiary designation form, and let us know your plans so we may thank you.

Questions? Contact Jack Fistler 612-435-1321 or jack@haumc.org . Thanks for loving Hennepin.

What We Learned Last Sunday

Service Sunday & Communion

Our older kids had a tour of the Dignity Center. They were able to see first-hand how participants are greeted at the front door, and what they experience when they visit. They donated their tie blankets, and Joan even showed them some of the fun, hidden quirks of the Ministry House! Huge thanks to Joan Jemison for hosting this great learning experience. Everyone had a great time!

Our younger kids helped stuff 75 take-home bags for Easter Sunday, and we began to make cards that will accompany the lilies that will be taken to our homebound Hennepin friends.

Coming Up This Sunday

April 13: Palm Sunday!

It’s time for our annual Palm Parade. Please arrive by 9:45 AM to get your palms and get ready to parade like Jesus did as he rode into Jerusalem. The palm parade will begin in the Narthex (back of the sanctuary), so grab a palm branch and head to the back of the church. Adult volunteers will be there to greet you!

To submit event announcements to be published on the public events calendar, please send all the details to communications@haumc.org.

To plan your event, including reserving rooms, email scheduling@haumc.org.

For story ideas or editorial content, you can email commsdirector@haumc.org. All content is subject to the discretion of the editorial team.

Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church www.haumc.org