Everything In Between - Palm Sunday

Scripture: Luke 19:29-40 | "Shouting & Silence"

Join us On Campus or Online | Sunday, April 13, 2025

When I was a teenager, Holy Week took on a whole new significance for me. It was no longer just about the traditions I had grown up loving—though don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy a good Easter egg hunt! As a child, I cherished those moments, from reciting speeches at church to celebrating with my family. But that particular year was different. It became more than festive rituals; it became personal.

For the first time, I decided to take my faith seriously. I practiced fasting from meat, which taught me discipline and made me more aware of Christ’s sacrifice. I dove into the scriptures, not just reading them, but letting their truths sink into my heart. It was a milestone year for me—a pivotal moment when I moved from being a fan of Jesus to a follower, committed to walking closer with Him.

Looking back now, I see how that season transformed my understanding of Holy Week. It wasn’t just about celebration; it was about reflection. It wasn’t about checking spiritual boxes; it was about allowing God’s love and grace to draw me deeper into His story. That journey taught me that faith isn’t binary—it’s not a simple matter of devotion or indifference. It’s a spectrum of growth, trust, and transformation.

As we journey into Holy Week, our hearts and minds are drawn once more to the culmination of Christ’s ministry and sacrifice. This year, guided by the Gospel of Luke, we have walked through the Lenten season reflecting on Jesus’ path to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51) and the rich stories that illuminate his teachings—the Good Samaritan, Mary and Martha, the fruitless fig tree, the Lost Sheep, Zacchaeus, and more. These narratives resonate across generations, weaving sacred truth into the fabric of our spiritual and cultural lives.

Each story carries layers of meaning, evoking reflection, conviction, and hope. As we’ve studied them, we’ve been reminded of the disruptive power of Jesus’ ministry—a ministry that broke through the social, political, and religious divisions of his time to reveal the radical, inclusive love of God. These stories hold a mirror to our world today, reflecting divisions that exist in our own families, churches, and communities. And yet, they also invite us to consider the “everything in between”—the spaces where transformation, understanding, and reconciliation can flourish.

Holy Week invites us to enter those in-between spaces with humility and intention. It challenges us to go beyond binaries and easy answers, to explore the spectrum of faith, grace, and human experience. Whether we find ourselves resting or growing, grieving or hoping, serving or seeking, we are called to trust that God’s presence spans the full complexity of our lives.

As we move through the solemnity of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday toward the joy of Easter, let us carve out time to pause and reflect. Engage with the scripture, art, and reflections that have shaped this Lenten season. Create room for silence, prayer, and deep listening. Consider where God might be calling you to navigate the polarities in your life with greater faith and openness.

This Holy Week, may we be a people who seek God not only in moments of clarity but also in the shades of gray, the rainbow hues, and the everything in between.

See you Sunday!

Rev. Virzola Law

Senior Minister

9:00 am - Sunday School

10:00 am - Fellowship

10:15 am - Processional & Service

The Sunday worship service is also available online, on Facebook, and on YouTube. Below are some tips for worshiping with us online.

Announcements begin at 10:15 am, with the prelude to follow. Join us early! Prepare your own bread, cup and candle for communion. Turn on and adjust the sound to your computer.

Palm Processional

Meet in front of the church or join us online to particiapte in a donkey-led processional which will lead us into the sanctuary for worship at 10:30 am. Easter Special Offering will be collected during worship.

Learn more and give here.

Worship Rocks

Following the children's moment during the worship service, children (ages 3 - 5th grade) will be escorted to F-102 for their own kid-friendly worship experience.

After-Church Choir Rehearsal

11:45 am in the Music Suite

Solomon's Porch (Men's Group)

2nd and 4th Saturdays

7:30 am in the Music Suite.

Tai Chi

Mondays at 10:30 am

In F-101

Contact Donna for info

972-271-3949

Choir Rehearsal

Wednesdays at 7:00 pm

in the Music Suite

NCC Board Meeting

Monday, April 28

6:30 pm in E-114 and on Zoom.

Click for Zoom info.

Senior Adult Ministry

Monday, May 12

11:30 am in F-101

Presenter: Dave Lieber

RSVP by May 9

Ring the Bells

Congregational Retreat

Led by Olu Brown

Saturday, May 17 at UPUMC

Sunday, May 18 at Northway

(details to be announced)

We've got the Maundy Thursday meal covered, but if you'd like to

bring a dessert to share, please let us know when you RSVP.

An Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Sunday, April 20th at 9:45 am on the west lawn, near the bell tower. Please bring your own basket.

Palm Sunday Service | April 13 at 10:15 am

We will begin with a donkey-led palm processional outside in front parking lot at 10:15 am, which will lead us into the worship service at 10:30 am (join us in person or online).

Maundy Thursday Meal & Service | April 17 at Northway.

PLEASE RSVP for this event by Monday, April 14.

Royal Lane and Midway Hills join Northway for a 6:00 pm meal time,

and a 7:00 pm worship service in Fellowship Hall. RSVP here.

Good Friday Service | April 18, 7:00 pm at Royal Lane Baptist Church.

Northway, Midway Hills, and Royal Lane collaborate at a Good Friday Service

at Royal Lane Baptist Church.

Holy Saturday Prayer Journey & Labyrinth | April 19 in F-101.

The labyrinth will be available in F-101 and prayer journey stations in the sanctuary. Participate at your convenience between 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.

Easter Sunday | April 20

6:30 am - Sunrise Service at T&P Hill (White Rock Creek in Dallas).

9:45 am - Easter Egg Hunt on west lawn (behind bell tower).

10:30 am - Worship Service, in the Sanctuary and online.

2:30 pm - Service at Juliette Fowler Communities.

If you participate in any of the following service opportunities - please keep track of

your time. We have a congregational goal of reaching 25,000 hours of

blessing and serving others in 2025.

Mobile Food Pantry

1st, 2nd, 3rd Tuesdays

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Front lot of the church.

Seeds of Faith Community Garden

1st and 3rd Saturdays

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Greater Garth Chapel

2828 Carpenter Ave.

Dallas, TX 75215

Diaper Distribution

4th Saturdays

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Front lot of the church.

International Rescue Committee

Is in need of bundle packages to support refugee families.

Click to view list.

Cartercare Blood Drive

Saturday, May 3

12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

in the Sanctuary

Want to get involved?

Email us and we will

help you get connected!

04/13 Palm Processional, 10:15 am, meet at porte-cochere or online

04/17 Maundy Thursday at Northway, 6:00 pm meal, 7:00 pm service

04/18 Good Friday Service, 7:00 pm at Royal Lane Baptist

04/19 Holy Saturday Labyrinth & Prayer Journey, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

04/20 Easter Sunrise Service, 6:30 am, T&P Hill at White Rock Creek

04/20 Easter Egg Hunt, 9:45 am, on west lawn at Northway

04/20 Easter Sunday Service, 10:30 am, in Santuary and online

04/20 Service at Juliette Fowler, 2:30 pm

04/28 NCC Board Meeting, 6:30 pm, E-114 and Zoom

05/03 Blood Drive at Northway, 12:00 - 5:00 pm

05/17 Ring the Bells Congregational Retreat at UPUMC

05/18 Ring the Bells - Olu Brown in the pulpit, 10:30 am, Sanctuary and online.

07/06-11 Youth Mission Trip to KC, MO

07/21-25 Vacation Bible School

If you would like to serve on the team that prepares VBS, please contact Pastor Chesna.

Registration is now available for Summer Camp and Retreats at Disciples Crossing.

For a list of camp dates and registration details click here.

This calendar year – 2025 – we are setting a congregation goal of

25,000 Hours of Blessing and Service! Will you help us reach our goal?

Everyone can participate - members, visitors, guests, and neighbors who want to contribute to Building the Beloved Community. If you're here on Sundays, simply fill out a card and place it in the offering tray as it's passed. Or, to access a digital card click here or scan the QR code.

What counts as Hours of Blessing & Service? Working at Northway's mobile food pantry, diaper distribution, or community garden events are obvious examples, but every moment of kindness to your neighbor counts. 

Happy birthday to John Corbitt, Idella Phifer, Joshua Mangum, Elizabeth Edwards, Rosemary Self, Amanda Willett, Jane Aten, and Sarah Hardin.

Hey Parents! If you'd like to keep up with Northway's activities for children and youth, you'll want to click here to check out our "Parent Connection" newsletter. If you're not receiving this weekly email, but would like to, send us a note.

March Month End Receipts: $42,320.66

2025 Budgeted Receipts to be announced.

Financial Update Note: Contributions will be reported at the time they are received, even if they are prepayments of annual pledges. If you have questions, please contact Jacob Geary or call the church office at 214-361-6641.