April 10,  2017  
Throughout Holy Week, an outdoor installation of the Stations of the Cross will be set up in the central courtyard. The Stations of the Cross is an ancient tradition that harkens back to the Jerusalem pilgrims walking the Via Dolorosa, the final journey of Christ through the city to the place of his crucifixion. Each station features readings from scripture, prayers, meditations, and works of art from diverse sources. You can walk the staions any time from sunrise to sunset, from Sunday, April 9 through Friday, April 14. Come and enjoy a time of quiet reflection as you prepare for the coming of the Lord.
Holy Week
Triduum: The Great Three Days
April 13-15

The Great Three Days, or Triduum, is a single worship service spread over Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil on Holy Saturday. You will notice that we are called to worship on Thursday and receive the benediction on Saturday. While this service is an ancient practice of the church, our hope is that you will hear anew the message of God’s love through these diverse presentations of the story of our faith. We invite you to join us on this pilgrim journey as we experience Christ’s call to service at his table, the haunting music and lament at the foot of the cross, and the joyful celebrations and symbols at the empty tomb. Let us keep the fast.

Maundy Thursday Service
7:30 p.m., UPC Sanctuary

Good Friday Service of Darkness
7:30 p.m., UPC Sanctuary

Great Vigil of Easter
7:00 p.m., Saturday
begins in the Central Courtyard

Resurrection of the Lord

Easter Sunday Schedule

9:00 a.m.
Worship with communion, UPC sanctuary

10:00 a.m.
Hot cross buns, central courtyard

10:15 a.m.
Easter egg hunt, north courtyard

11:00 a.m. 
Worship, UPC sanctuary

No Sunday evening programs

Church office will be closed
Monday, April 17

Your Holy Week Worship Leaders:
UPC Children & Youth
All of Christian discipleship flows into and out of the liturgy. The principle formative action of the people of God is found where the community gathers in the worship of God. Worship inspires our fellowship, empowers our mission and service, orients us to our true identity as children of God in the world, teaches us the faith, and opens our hearts and minds to the presence of Christ. Here at UPC, worship forms the foundation upon which our children and youth are formed into life long followers of Jesus Christ.

One of the ways that the Christian Formation team seeks to nurture our young people in the way of Jesus Christ is by providing both regular and special opportunities for their leadership in worship. By encouraging and training their voices to be agents of God's love in public worship, we inspire within them the boldness to live their faith out loud both here at church and in their schools and neighborhoods. 
Our children and youth will be leading us in worship this Holy Week. On Palm Sunday, the Laudate Children's Choir offered an anthem during the 11:00 a.m. service and again on Saturday, April 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Great Vigil of Easter.

Over the last four weeks, the youth have reflected upon the great Hebrew and Gospel narratives of salvation and brought those ancient texts to life in a series of creative and dramatic interpretations. It is our hope that you will encourage the leadership of our young people at both of these services through your attendance and support. When we take the leadership of children and youth in worship seriously, so do they. Thank you for your support.

Click here for a clip of the Laudate Choir from Amy Toulouse.

Last October, Austin Seminary professor Dr. David White and John Leedy were invited to co-lecture at Yale Divinity School on the topic of Joy and Beauty in the Spiritual Formation of Adolescents as a part of a larger series studying the role of joy in human flourishing. Dr. White presented his scholarly thesis for the role beauty plays in inspiring joy and John supported his thesis through the case study of the Easter Vigil here at UPC. 

Click here for the Yale Divinity School lecture.

John's presentation begins around 40:17.

One Great Hour of Sharing Is Easter Sunday
A gift to One Great Hour of Sharing enables the church to share God’s love with our neighbors-in-need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and helping to empower the poor and oppressed. Find an interactive world map with One Great Hour of Sharing recipients here.


Love Offering for Sandie
As most of you know by now, UPC Financial Manager Sandie McGee is heading for greener shores — or at least to the South Carolina Coast — to look after some family property and enjoy the next stage of her life.

Sandie has served UPC for ten years, providing a faithful, steady, and passionate hand on the financial wheel of the church and its ministry. We are so sad to see her go, but eager to enjoy (from afar!) the season that awaits her around the bend.

Sandie's last day in the office is April 18, after which she's on her way east for awhile. If you would like to show your appreciation for Sandie’s ministry, please know that UPC is collecting a love offering in her honor. You may drop a check in the offering plate, mail one to the church office, or make a contribution online through myUPC. Please note in the memo line that the contribution is for Sandie's love offering.

Thank you, and thank you to Sandie!
Celebrate Sandie's Ten Years of Service

Sandie would welcome cards and letters of thanksgiving and congratulations on her retirement. Drop one off in the church office, and we'll make sure that she gets it. They do deliver mail to the beach!

Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
Room 1, Lower Level
 
Easter Sunday – April 16 – NO SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES Enjoy some chocolate Easter eggs for breakfast!
 
ALL CHURCH RETREAT AT MO-RANCH – April 23 – No Class Scheduled I hope to see ALL of you at Mo Ranch for another great time with our UPC family!

For more information,
contact Stephanie Morris at stephanietmorris@sbcglobal.net.

Circle Meetings in April

The Ruth-Dorcas Circle meets April 11 at 2:30 p.m. at Dottie Penn's home. For more information, contact the church office. 

Save the Date for a Conversation on Immigration

Sunday, May 7, 2017, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. UPC Great Hall
Light lunch provided.

The UPC Social Witness Committee is hosting a special event on the topic of immigration and we want to hear from you! Please come to hear a panel discussion on the topic, followed by round table conversations with your fellow congregation members about how we should engage in this issue as individuals and as a congregation.

Austin Gathering April 13

The Mission of Faith & Grief Ministries is to provide ongoing comfort to persons who have experienced the death of a loved one. As we prayerfully discern our mission, we value most the gifts of the Holy Spirit’s gentle and restless source of comfort; community that understands grief and mourning; compassion revealed in silence, listening, tears, and surprising laughter; stories that speak truth in love and promote wholeness; and collaboration that joins strength to strength. The Austin area Faith & Grief Gathering occurs April 13
at noon, Westminster Presbyterian Church. Lunch is free; registration is required.

To register, click here.

UPLift Needs Next Week
Every Tuesday morning, UPC volunteers provide some food and coffee, hygiene items, and occasional financial assistance for our clients. While all donations are welcome at any time, here are some items to consider bringing to worship this week.

Thank you for your incredible support of this UPC mission!!
For this week's grocery cart:
A variety of needs:

  • dried beans (pinto, kidney, black, navy, lentils, …)
  • large jar of jelly or preserves 
  • bar of soap 
  • dental floss 
  • snack bars 
Celebrations & Concerns
Prayers of Thanksgiving
As a congregation, we pray for our Chancel Choir, preparing this week for the Service of Darkness on Good Friday, April 14. We also pray for our children who are learning to be worship leaders: Laudate Children’s Choir for their gift of music, Four+. Sunday school class, for their gift of hospitality to Easter visitors, and the UPC Youth Group, who are leading the Great Vigil of Easter, which will conclude our Great Three Days—Triduum—service on April 15.  

Please pray for 

Bob Inman, who is now under hospice care in Grand Rapids. Bob is the father of Joyce Inman.

Karen Cappolino, who is recovering at home following surgery last week.

Travis Turner, who underwent a double by-pass surgery this morning in Houston. Travis is the great-nephew of Ann Winkle.


Click here to download the full UPC prayer list for April 9, 2017
or pick up a copy in the narthex
or outside the church office.

If you'd like to be part of UPC's Prayer Chain, please email the church office.
You will receive emails asking you specifically to pray for people who have requested prayer support.

To request prayers, email upc@upcaustin.org
Contact
University Presbyterian Church
2203 San Antonio Street
Austin, Texas  78705
512-476-5321

Rooted in worship. . .

   Growing through education & s
ervice. . .

       Connecting to campus & community. . .