From the Pastor

March 2020

With its emphasis on actions we can take during Lent; prayer, fasting and acts of charity, there is the temptation to think that the season is all about us. Well, I know, that you know, that that is not the case. It is all about Jesus. Yes, we are on this journey with him, but the work of salvation does not fall upon our shoulders (thank goodness) but upon the shoulders, hands, feet and side of Jesus.

Sticking with our theme of gospel hope, we are reminded over and over again that our hope is not misplaced. It is with Jesus. “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness…” says the hymn. The reference to the blood of Christ is the manner by which Jesus has made peace with the world. In his suffering love, Jesus has dealt with the power of death, and sent it packing.

Because of this, as Dr. Walter Brueggemann writes, “…we now who are baptized are welcome into his company and his work to be peacemakers in hard places, to refuse the way of anger and fear and hate and resentment, in order to enact a world of gratitude, generosity, and forgiveness.”

I invite you to dig deeper into the good news of Jesus in our worship during Lent; on Sunday and on Wednesday. Together we shall learn and sense the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Clifton D. Eshbach,

Pastor

 

Holy Week Services

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil & Easter Sunday

Holy Week Services

Maundy Thursday- April 9th at 7:00 pm:   This is the day when Christians remember the Last Supper.  At the close of the service the altar and the sanctuary will be stripped in preparation for Good Friday

Good Friday- April 10th at 12:00 noon and 7:00 pm: This is the day when Christians around the world commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ

Easter Vigil- April 11th at 7:00 pm at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church: This service is sometimes referred to as the Paschal vigil and is celebrated the evening before Easter Sunday.  It is considered to be the first service of Easter. As always we worship with our friends from St. Paul, Millersville and Concordia, Columbia.

Easter Sunday- April 12st at 9:30 am:  This is the day that we as Christians celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

Tanzania School

Tanzania School

This season the donation in lieu of flowers for Easter will go to help further the construction of the school building our companion congregation in Tanzania is constructing. It will be a modest amount, but it will help them as they prepare for the next phase of work.

With the gift we were able to send last year, windows and doors were installed, and the outside walls were plastered (see the photos on the bulletin board in the hallway). Each little step forward provides more momentum to advance the project. Please consider such a gift when you place your order for Easter flowers. Thank you very much from a very grateful congregation at Uyole Lutheran Church, Tanzania.

 

Healing Service

April 26 at 4:00 p.m.

Healing Service

On Sunday, April 26th at 4:00pm there will be a Healing service at Holy Spirit.  If you have never attended one of these services please consider doing so, it is a very moving service.

 

Ash Wednesday, February 26

Noon & 7:00 p.m.

There will be two services on Ash Wednesday, February 26th. The first service will be held at 12 noon and the second service will be held at 7:00 pm. There will be the imposition of ashes and communion at both services.  Hope to see you on Ash Wednesday.