Pot Luck this Sunday, Palm Sunday HOSANNA!
The weekly Newsletter of
ALL SOULS ECC
A Welcoming Family of Faith!
My sisters and brothers in Christ,
As we begin Holy Week, with our Palm Sunday procession, let us not forget that we are a pilgrim people, making our journey of faith in this life by walking together. Please join me and your sisters and brothers of All Souls, as well as Christians throughout the world, by our walking together. The most sacred three days of our faith, the Triduum , begins on Maundy (Latin – mandatum-mandate)Thursday, the commemoration of the Lord’s Supper and following the command/mandate to wash each other’s feet. Good Friday commemorates our Lord’s Passion and His death on the cross, the ultimate proof of His love despite human betrayal and treachery. Holy Saturday Vigil, beginning in stunned silence and darkness and ending in exultation that
CHRIST IS RISEN, ALLELUIA!
Do not take your journey of faith by yourself and alone. Let us all walk together!
Fr. Henry+
This weeks readings and question of the week:
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: As I carry home the blessed palms that celebrate Jesus’ victory, how will I embrace and implement Jesus’ gentle, loving way of bringing about God’s kingdom into my corner of the world?
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
Philippians 2:6-11
Matthew 26:14-27:66
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9, ESV).
The phrase hosanna in the highest appears only twice in the Bible, once in Matthew and again in Mark, during the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The people were crowded around the gate watching Jesus enter the city, and they were celebrating and calling out, Mark 11:10 records the crowd saying, “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” (ESV). The NIV translates their shout as “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
The word hosanna comes from a Hebrew word meaning “save now” or “save us, we pray.” The first word of Psalm 118:25 is howosiah-na, translated “Save us!” and the crowd’s use of this word at the triumphal entry was significant-especially as they waved palm branches (Psalm 118 was associated with the Feast of Tabernacles). By saying “hosanna” as Jesus passed through the gates of Jerusalem and referring to David and David’s kingdom, the Jews were acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah. The Jews had been waiting a long time for the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant and their shouts of “hosanna in the highest” indicated the hope that their Messiah had finally come to set up God’s kingdom then and there.
Sadly, the salvation that the people of Jerusalem wanted that day was political, not spiritual. They were only interested in a temporary, worldly fulfillment of the messianic prophecies. They chose not to see the prophecies that said the Messiah would be “a man of sorrows” who would bear the griefs of His people and be crushed for their sins. His oppression and death were clearly predicted in Isaiah 53. Yes, Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for, and He accepted their shouts of “hosanna in the highest.” He was truly Immanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14). But the political conquest and final fulfillment of the David Covenant must await the second coming (Acts 1:11; Zechariah 14:4; Matthew 24:30; Titus 2:13). Before Jesus could take care of the political problems of His people, He had to take care of the sin problem.
HOLY WEEK IS ALMOST HERE!
Donations for Easter flowers accepted 4/2 and 4/9
And don’t forget to be saving your change for our Lenten Offering to be collected during Holy Week.
THIS SATURDAY!!!
April 8 – Pot Luck
“HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ALL SOULS!
Join us for our April 8 potluck as we celebrate 8 years of ministry as All Souls!
6:00 pm – Pine Room
Invite friends and family!
Tuesday, April 11th at 7:00 PM
Ms. Barbara Peronteau will be the speaker at Theology with A Twist, at the Kutztown Tavern, 272 W. Main Street, Kutztown. Her presentation is “A Trans Woman and Her Faith Journey”.
“An Evening at Stirling”
“An Evening at Stirling” has become a great way to celebrate with the LGBTQ community in supporting Reading Pride Celebration.
Mark your calendars for May 21 at 3:00 pm! Tickets and more information on the Reading Pride website.
Wednesday, May 24 – Friendly’s Family Fun Night & Fundraiser
INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY OUT!
How are you doing answering this past week’s question of the week?
Having come this far in Lent, am I ready to die to my old ways and embrace new life?