Pot Luck Today & Easter Sunday: Coming Soon!

My sisters and brothers in Christ,

 

On Ash Wednesday we began our spiritual journey of renewal, a period of 40 days, known as Lent.  Next Sunday, known as PalmSunday, marks the beginning of a week that is special to Christians throughout the whole world, Holy Week.  We begin our Holy Week celebration with palm branches in our hands, recalling the crowds that cried both “Hosanna!” and “Crucify!” celebrating Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem to accomplish his paschal mystery.

 

On Maundy Thursday we begin our three-day celebration of the passion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the sacred paschal Triduum.  Let us make this a solemn three day retreat, and together come to know more deeply the heart of our faith, the heart of our loving God.  I encourage you to make every effort possible to participate in our services of Holy Week.

 

Fr. Henry

Take time to mediate on God’s word and prepare for worship this Sunday.  And as you meditate on them, consider the question of the week:

 

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Psalm 51:1-4, 10-13

Hebrews 5:5-10

John 12:20-33

 

Psalm 51: 11-13

 

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me.

Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

What a beautiful and poetic Psalm we have this week.  God wants us to present himself to him – not as a perfect person, but a forgiven person.   If we ask for his forgiveness and seek his righteousness – his promise to us is not just eternal life, but a more joyful and spiritual life here on earth.  Not an easy life, not a perfect life – but one that is sustained by his joy and spirit.   How is your heart this Lent?  Forgiven? Joyful?  If not, ask for that clean hears and seek to be in his presence.  You might just be surprised in the changes that will happen.

Got a favorite Irish Recipe or green desert? Join us for this months “St Patty’s Day Pot Luck” and don’t forget to wear your green!Invite your friends and family!

Maunday Thursday, April 2 – 7:00 pm

Good Friday, April 3 – 7:00 pm

Easter Vigil, April 4 – 7:00 pm

Easter Sunday, April 5  – 1 pm

Our friends and ecumenical partners at Incarnation Lutheran Church have invited members of All Souls to join them for Stations of the Cross on Good Friday (April 3) @ 4:00 pm.

1101 Lancaster Ave, Reading, PA 19607

As you heard at the end of last weeks worship service or read in the Special Announcement sent out on Monday – Fr. Henry Pruski has been selected to serve as the next pastor of All Souls Church.  His official start date as Pastor is April 1, with his installation as pastor set for Sunday, April 12.    A big thank you to our parish community for their input to the board, their prayers, and their patience during this transition period.   May God bless our new Pastor and his ministry at All Souls!

We have special containers for you to sacrifice for Lent with your offering.  Any amount contributed will go towards the cost of preparing meals at Opportunity House this winter and spring.

  Bishop Rick will be at All Souls on Sunday, April 12 to install Fr. Henry as our new pastor.  He will also receive new members into the ECC.  If you are new and have not been received into the church, but have already been baptized – this might be great time to do this. Please let Fr. Henry know if you are interested in Membership Classes ASAP.

Please bring a special offeringthis Sunday if you would like to contribute to the cost of the flowers used to decorate the Chapel for Easter.   Donations of any amount are welcomed.