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A Christian community of all ages
grounded in
worship, well-being, and service.
| April 12 - April 18, 2025 | | |
Dear Friends,
In the Jewish Passover meal, the Seder, there is a tradition in which the youngest person present asks four questions. The first of these questions is, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” This question and the three that follow are invitations not only to hear the story of the Exodus, but to taste it, see it, smell it, sing it and contemplate it. The story is not only told, but is embodied at the table with special foods and rituals that continue to hold meaning today.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this question as we approach Holy Week. “What makes this week different from all other weeks?”
Each of us has a different answer to that question. For some, the answer is simply that this is a week for us to prepare for Easter and the renewal that spring brings to us. True, and thank God for spring! As Christians, this week is different from all other weeks. To the degree that we participate in the rituals, we not only remember the story of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, we relive it.
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As a priest, I have lived through Holy Week twenty-six times. And there were the years before I was a priest, going back to my childhood. Each year has been different. The story and rituals are the same, but the world is different, our community is different, we are different. What remains the same is the spiritual renewal we experience and witness in community. Somehow gathering to hear the story and participate in the rituals changes us. God is present, and the story then and now is potent in bringing redemption and renewal.
It is a big ask for a community to prepare and participate in five worship services between Palm and Easter Sunday. (Eight if you are a worship leader!) Please see the schedule below and join us. There is no question that it is worth it for our life in Christ. Walking through this week, a week like no other, will bring us close to God in Christ, each other, and those who need us to tell the story.
Faithfully, Jennifer
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Highlights
in the
Coming Weeks
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Weekly worship services in the
Historic Church:
Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and
Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
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Sunday, 4.13 -- Deadline for Easter candy. Details below.
Monday, 4.14 -- Deadline for Easter flowers. Details below.
Wednesday, 4.16, 4:00 p.m., Parish House, Southside Classroom, Lower, Level-- Lenten Book Group. Read chapters 11 and 12.
Thursday, 4.17 - Saturday, 4.19 -- Triduum Sacrum. Details below.
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Click on the image above for the weekly bulletin. This week's bulletin is for the 10:00 Palm Sunday service only.
Liturgical ministers for Saturday at 5:00 and Sunday at 10:00 are listed in the bulletin.
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Due to forecasted rain this weekend, both of our services will begin indoors.
Worship on Sundays at 10:00 is live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Use the comment section to say hello if you use Facebook. We are trying to make better connections between those who are in person and those who are at home.
If you miss worship on Sunday and just want to hear the sermon, you can listen to it online.
Prayer requests for individuals can be added to the prayers of the people on Sunday mornings and in the daily evening prayers by contacting Parish Administrator, Karen Laroche. We typically keep people in the prayers for one month.
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Join us for Holy Week services as we move through the last days of Jesus's life and remember his triumphant resurrection over death.
Palm Saturday and Sunday, 4.12 at 5:00 and 4.13 at 10:00, Worship in historic church.
• Blessing and procession of the palms at both services, worship will begin indoors due to forecasted rain.
Triduum Sacrum, The Three Holy Days
• Maundy Thursday, 4.17 at 7:00 p.m., Worship in historic church. Will be streamed.
• Good Friday, 4.18 at noon and 7:00 p.m., Worship in historic church. 7:00 service will be streamed.
• Great Vigil of Easter, 4.19 at 7:30 p.m. Please arrive by 7:15 for the lighting of the fire. The most holy service of the year. We will gather at the new fire and celebrate a night like no other.
• Joyous celebration following worship in the parish house. The chocolate fountain will be flowing!
Easter Sunday, 4.20
• 9:00 a.m., Worship in historic church. Will be streamed.
• 10:15 a.m., Easter egg hunt, Parish House
• 11:00 a.m., Worship in historic church
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Easter Flower Donations
If you would like to contribute to the Easter flowers, envelopes will be available in the entrance of the historic church or from Karen Laroche in the church office.
The deadline for thanksgivings or memorials is Monday, April 14. You can place your envelope in the offering plate at worship or drop it off at the church office.
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From the Great Vigil of Easter to Pentecost, we have many opportunities to show our members and guests that they matter at St. Mary's.
We will be hosting events that include a reception after the Great Vigil of Easter (4.19), coffee between the Easter services, a reception for new members and the bishop (5.4), and finally a Pentecost potluck picnic (6.8). Each of these events takes various skills and talents including a green thumb.
Please see how your talent and time can provide hospitality during the Easter season by perusing each of these events on SignUpGenius and signing up to help.
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To Debbie and Jim DeVecchi and Lisa Lyons for hosting the potluck Bites and Beverages last week following the 5:00 Saturday service!
The event "couldn't have gone any better" as members and guests shared food, fellowship, and conversation.
We have Bites and Beverages planned through August (with a hiatus in July)!
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We'll be having an Easter egg hunt between the services on Easter! Be sure to bring candy for the eggs.
Please leave your candy in the entrance to the church. The deadline for collecting candy is Palm Sunday, April 13.
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2025 Community Garden
The 2025 Community Garden season is here!
Plans are underway for new plots, pollinator garden expansion, and fun garden festivities. Another great year in the garden is underway!
Please contact Elise LaParle Garcia if you are interested in a garden plot.
| | Communication & Other Announcements | |
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