MAUNDY THURSDAY & EASTER
We have not celebrated
Maundy Thursday here at
Faith for a while. So, this will
be your once-in-a-decade
chance to participate in a
remembrance of this meaning filled evening at 7 pm. He tells his disciples as they
share the last supper: “Do this to remember me.” Jesus also commands his
disciples to love one another. Jesus washes disciples’ feet. Pastor will be shining
the shoes of those who chose to have it done and who arrive on time a head of
the service. Lastly the garden of Gethsemane is remembered so those of us who
can, will kneel for communion around the altar.
On Sunday, we remember the joy of Easter, Resurrection.
There will
be additional musicians, lilies, flowers around the altar and
down the aisle. Thank you to Irm
who does this every year. There
will also be a flower cross
outside. Bring flowers from home to fill it in.
There will also be an
Easter egg hunt for the children,
who should bring a basket with
them.
How do you remember Easter?
I remember as a youth walking from the parsonage, which was across the street
from the church in Greeley, Colorado, with my family in my new Sunday clothes.
The women as they go to the tomb, early on that Easter morning, do not have
Sunday clothes but they do have expensive spices they will use to anoint the body
of Jesus. They may have been carrying the spice nard with them. It was used to
anoint the bodies of the dead to offset the stench of dead.
Mary likely used it to anoint his brother Lazarus’ body, who was in the tomb for
three days before Jesus returned to raise him from death. Even with the spices,
she warned Jesus that there would be an odor.
She has more on hand when she anoints the feet of Jesus in John 12. Nard’s
powerful, pungent aroma filled the room with its fragrance. Nard was costly,
earthly and musky and was also used as a sign of royalty.
Would the women be using the nard to anoint the dead or to anoint king? Men in
dazzling clothes appear to them at that tomb and remind them that Jesus said:
“The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified and on the third
day rise again.” (Luke 24:6) Do you not remember?
All of this seems too good to be true for the disciples. Peter must go and see for
himself. By the time the two disciples run back to Jerusalem from Emmaus, the
fragrance of faith fills the room. Jesus in his resurrection would disrupt the rule of
death and bring forth new life. The nard anoints a King.
I know some of you will not be at Faith on Easter day, you will be at the home of
relatives and friends. Some of you will bring family and friends with you to Faith.
Either way, may the fragrance of Faith fill the rooms where you gather.
This Easter Connie and I have two new grandchildren to visit. We visit nearby
Blake ahead of Easter then fly out the evening of Easter to visit Lily in Millbrae.
We will bring Easter baskets to them. We look forward to days ahead when we
can remember our own youth with them with the Easter egg hunts, balloon
tosses, and potlucks in the park.
Like men in dazzling clothes, newborns, friends and family, Easter memories
encourage us to believe in new beginnings, in things too good to be true. Easter
encourages us to seek the transformative power of faith.
Prayer: Lord, in troubled times and in joyous times remind us, encourage us. May
we revel and retell your victory and find each morning filled with New Beginnings.
Grace and Peace, Pastor John Bunge
Holy Week Services:
April 17 – Maundy Thursday at 7 pm. Pastor will be shining shoes.
April 18 – Good Friday – We will not have services here, but if you would like to
join St. Alban’s Good Friday service on the 18th at 5 pm at 12692 – 5
th St.
April 20 – Easter service at 10 am. Children are invited to bring Easter Baskets for
an Easter Egg Hunt. Thank you, Carol J., and Mkanzas for organizing this.
Coffee & treats in Narthex
Special Appeals
Your support of Faith and our outreach ministries is wonderful.
We are emboldened to ask for your support of a Preschool Director and Site
Supervisor. If you would like to give funds for a baby basket for Joy and a special
gift for Jennifer as she spends the next four to six months on disability, due to her
breast cancer. Jenn’s last day will be Good Friday, April 18.
Thanks to those who gave to Easter Musicians or Lillies, you can still indicate that
on your envelope or check with any dedication noted.
UPCOMING REMINDERS
Pastor Bunge will be in the office this Tuesday and Thursday, then the week after
Easter he and Connie will visit his granddaughter, then be back to his regular
schedule of Mondays and Tuesdays in the office beginning April 28.
Confirmation Classes will resume Sunday, April 27.
Time of Meditation – took a break for Lent but are back again. April 24 @ 1 pm
and for those who would appreciate a class May 1 @ 12:30.
PANTRY -2nd & 4th Saturday; from 8 to 10:00
The pantry could use Pasta (any kind), dry beans and/or dry peas, macaroni & cheese.
WATERCOLOR PAINTING CLASS by our OWN MASTER WATERCOLORIST,
HOLLY – Seven of us began with a fun class Thursday, April 10 for 4 weeks;
3:30-4:30. All levels and ages. $40/4 weeks. See signup in Narthex on
Sunday for details.
QUILTING – Emily Smith’s Group (909.255.2452) has started anew and has
completed 4 quilts for the San Bernardino Wellness Center and six for Lutheran
World Relief. They are working on quilts for our graduating High School Seniors –
Benet and Rachel. We will honor them on June 8. The Kopper Kettle donated
table cloths and runners.
• Diane Watson fractured her foot and is in a walking cast but was back in
church with her daughter, Amy.
• Michael Shea has been back with us.
• Kyle Hadley is making a solid though long recovery after eye surgery.
• Jan Wheeler is doing better with the right diagnosis.
• Pat Teeters was also back.
• St. Alban’s interim pastor, Mark who will be facing surgery after Easter.
• Judy Martin is unsteady; she is not able to come to church and appreciates
your prayers, cards and visits by Carol.
• Cesar Guevara’s brother, Marco, and Kim’s mother, Carol, in Canada
and their children.
• Eloise Johnson continues with her health issues.
• Jeanne Koening is having seizures. Jessica’s leukemia is being treated at
City of Hope. Joe and Lucas were with us.
• Bonnie Strack appreciates continued prayers for her son Brendan Simms,
who has suffered from a series of strokes.
• Jennifer for her upcoming birth & Joy recovering from breast cancer; from
the Preschool. Thanks to Robin and the Preschool Committee for
undertaking various tasks.
APRIL
20 EASTER – Coffee & Treats in Narthex
27 CONGREGATIONAL POTLUCK
Please bring a dish to share, signup in Narthex
Thanks to Nancy who will be hosting; signup to help
MAY
3 WELCA Bible Study
4 WELCA
11 MOTHER’S DAY Celebration
18 PRESCHOOL TEACHER APPRECIATION – (Thanks to Robyn for
providing an Action Team and for hosting with the committee)
25 CONGREGATIONAL POTLUCK – signup in Narthex
JUNE
1 Celebration of Apr-May-Jun Birthdays & Anniversaries
7 WELCA Bible Study
8 WELCA – GRADUATION CELEBRATIONS (Thanks to Eloise for providing an Action Team)
15 HAPPY FATHER’S DAY – Root Beer Floats
22 GAME DAY RESUMES – For a fun change — We will alternate Bingo & Trivia Fun facts
Thanks for remembering us for your Bingo donations;
anything, also candy from the after-Easter sales.
29 CONGREGATIONAL POTLUCK – sign up in Narthex
Thanks to all you have given shoes for Soles 4 Souls.
The box is still in the Narthex for continued donations.
Here are the Lessons for April 20:
• Acts 10: 34-43
• Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
• 1 Corinthians 15:19-26
• Luke 24:1-12
