From the Pastor

It's hard to believe that it's almost Holy Week! This Sunday we will celebrate Palm Sunday and then move together through the pain of Holy Week. I hope you will join us during the week as much as possible.  

About Holy Week, Steve Garnaas-Holmes writes: "As you witness the events of Holy Week, resist the temptation to make it all seem long ago and far away. It’s about us. It’s about God’s condemnation of our violence, discrimination, judgment and oppression. It’s the story of Gandhi and King, the story of the Nazi Holocaust and the lynchings of blacks and the genocide of Native peoples. It’s the story of Palestine and Afghanistan and Columbia, the story of undocumented immigrants and torture victims, abused children and Trayvon Martin.



And it’s about how even amidst violence God’s love transforms people, and transforms life; God’s forgiveness changes us. It’s about how love is stronger than evil and life is stronger than death. It’s a love story, about us. It won’t be easy. But it is, as we say, 'according to scripture,'—that is, it’s the truth."

(unfoldinglight.net/2012/03/30/1208/)

We begin Holy Week with Palm Sunday and hope you will join us for this "Praise Break" to begin Holy Week. John van de Laar shares the poem below to bless us (if you like, you can substitute Kin-dom for Kingdom as you read it): 

(sacredise.com)

Lord Jesus Christ, whose greatest moments of triumph happen

on the back of a donkey’s foal

and nailed to a bloody cross,

We gather to prepare the way for You

in our lives and in our world.

 

There are so many people and things that call for our allegiance

so many kings seeking to rule over us.

But, You ride into our experience as another kind of King

a serving, humble and challenging King

who calls us not to slavery, but friendship.

 

There are so many things that seek our energy and resources for their own sakes

so many Kingdoms seeking our souls for their own glory.

But, You ride into our experience heralding another kind of Kingdom

a Kingdom where the least are the greatest,

where the meek inherit the earth

and where children are the best example of citizenship.

a Kingdom which seeks to bring life, not drain it.

 

There are so many things that draw our attention.

So many realities that seek our faith and assent.

But, You ride into our experience revealing another kind of reality

a reality where death does not have the last word.

a reality where pride, selfishness and evil are defeated

by love and self-giving.

a reality which does not parade itself for all to see,

but fills every moment, every situation and every thing with life,

while waiting for us to discover it.

 

And so, we cry, from our hearts

Hosanna, Save us.

Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.



Amen.


Blessings,


Karla


Special Guest on Earth Day, Sunday, April 27!



We look forward to welcoming Elizabeth (Lizzy) Burkhalter who will bring us the message on Sunday, April 27 as we celebrate Earth Day! Lizzy is a former student of Pastor Karla’s who is passionate about environmental justice, especially from a faith perspective. You can read more about Lizzy in the April newsletter.


Is anyone in your family graduating this spring?

Please let our pastor know if you have 8th grade, high school, college, (undergrad or graduate level), or tech school graduates so we can schedule a Sunday to honor and celebrate their accomplishments.

Looking for an opportunity to express your opinion on US public policy?


As a member of the United Church of Christ, Zwingli is supported with resources by our national offices. Among these resources is an Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington DC. This Office gives information to understand the issues and legislation -- and the ability to easily express our opinion to our political leaders. Go to this website to access these opportunities to express yourself (if you do not have a computer, check out your local library). 


We will update this announcement with new opportunities (as they are added - bolded) so you can know the current issues you can respond to. You can also get alerts in your inbox by signing up here. Currently, there are opportunities to express your opinion on: Tell Congress to pass a Moral Budget, Support for Humanitarian Aid and Peace-making is non-negotiable; Protect Govt Funding; Protect DEI; Protect Medicare and Food Stamps; Protect Trans, Nonbinary and Intersex Civil Rights; .,Protect Everyday Consumers; Have a Heart for God's Planet; Foreign Aid; Federal Funding Freeze; Supporting Survivors of Human Trafficking; Immigration Policies; Trans Protection; Voting Rights; Affordable Internet; Indian Boarding Schools; and Military Aid to Israel. We know that some of you want to put your faith beliefs in action and hope those of you who wish to advocate find this resource useful.


 
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Zwingli United Church of Christ

www.paoliucc.com

https://www.facebook.com/zwingliuccpaoli/

zwingliuccpaoli@gmail.com

PO Box 530, Belleville, WI 53508


 
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"A small church with a big

and open heart!"


Pastor

Rev. Karla Schmidt

pastor.zwingliuccpaoli@gmail.com

608-572-4557



Kathie Wagner, Administrative Assistant

zwingliuccpaoli@gmail.com

Phone: 608-845-5641