Dear Caldwell,
I hope this missive finds you happy, healthy, and finding ways to enjoy this glorious weather.
As we come to the end of Lent, we look ahead into Holy Week, towards the cross, and eventually the empty tomb. I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to the new life that awaits at the other end of all these difficult days. But in the meantime, let us continue to wander these wilderness paths together.
Tonight we will gather for our online Vespers service at 7 pm, led by Lia Benton and Gail Henderson-Belsito. Here is a link to Psalm 31, which is the Scripture passage we will ponder this evening. If you need a Zoom link for tonight’s gathering, please check last week’s Caldwell This Week mailing or email me at gailnhb@caldwellpresby.org. (There has been a lot of hacking into Zoom gatherings, so we will have to keep all of our Zoom links private going forward.)
In preparation for Palm Sunday, please send a photo of yourself – and if you live with other people, feel free to have them join you in the photo – holding up a homemade palm or something green from your yard or your neighborhood. Justin will create a parade of palms from your photographs. Send them to jmartin@caldwellpresby.org.
On Palm Sunday, Justin will preach from Matthew 21:1-11. We look forward to hearing what God has for us through him.
Next week, we will continue with Preacher’s Porch on Tuesday at 7 pm.
On Maundy Thursday, we will gather at 7:30 pm for worship.
Following that service, we will begin our 24 hour prayer vigil – which will end late in the evening on Good Friday. Here is a link to sign up and join us as we pray. Prayer prompts and resources will be made available early next week.
Then on Easter morning, we will celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord with great joy.
In case you missed the blog John wrote earlier in the week, in case you need to see some beautiful babies to lift your spirits, click here and get ready to smile. Please keep an eye out for additional communication on Saturday with links for each gathering that will take place during Holy Week.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. And stay in touch. Please let any of us know – John, Anne, Justin, or myself – if you are in need of assistance or a listening ear. We are here. We are listening. We are praying for you.
Grace and peace, Gail
PS. For those of you seeking additional ways to support people in need, Loaves and Fishes has asked specifically for donations of cereal, pasta, and other grains. Financial donations are also welcome at loavesandfishes.org.