Union Weekly 4/5/09: Passion Week



Hi Family,

This is a photo of the statue I pass whenever I go to my seminary library, and every time, this image of the crucifixion stops me in my tracks.  The song strikes me, “Amazing love, how can it be that you my King would die for me?”  How can it be? How can He have gone through this for my sins? He is indeed the personification of love without conditions.  Now that we’re in Passion Week, may the sacrfice of Christ strike us once again, no matter how many times the image of the crucifixion has passed through our hearts.  Events of the week:

PALM SUNDAY (last Sunday): Triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on donkey, with people shouting, “Hosanna!” (“Salvation!”)

MAUNDY THURSDAY: Last Supper over Passover, prayer in Gethsemane, denials by Peter, betrayal by Judas

GOOD FRIDAY: Crucifixion from 9 AM to 3 PM, Jesus’ body taken down from cross and buried in tomb

HOLY SATURDAY: Jesus separated from Father, as He bore the weight of our sins

EASTER SUNDAY: Resurrection of Christ, victory over sin and death, kingdom of God established/advancing on earth

Announcements:

1) AM WORSHIP: 5 AM EVERY DAY IN THE LARGE SANCTUARY UNTIL FRIDAY.  Services will be in Korean, lasting about 30 minutes, then time of personal prayer.

2) NO TNF: Much happening this week, so we’ll meet for fellowship next week

3) GOOD FRIDAY FASTING: THIS FRIDAY UNTIL 3 PM.  Jesus died on the cross from 9 AM to 3 PM, so if possible, let’s fast from food and usual luxuries in order to pray and reflect on the cross (some will fast until after Good Friday service; our separate Lent fast continues until Sunday after Easter service).  On Sunday, we made the commitment to read the book of Mark during this week, hopefully before we meet F

4) GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE: 8 PM @ ENGLISH CHAPEL.  We’ll meditate, sing, pray, and listen to the Word on the abandonment that Jesus suffered during His crucifixion.  Afterward, we’ll join the Korean congregation in our traditional cross-carrying ceremony @ the large sanctuary.

5) COMMUNITY SERVICE: THIS SATURDAY FROM 9AM-2PM @ SOUTH PARK (Avalon and E. 51st St., LA 90011).  Andrew “R2B” Won is rapping @ this ministry event in the inner city, and Pastor Honeycutt, who preached @ our last hip hop event, will be preaching.  They need help giving out food and supplies to community members in need, and as part of Passion Week, I pray that we can all come together to “wash one another’s feet,” as Jesus did for us and commanded us.  We’ll talk Friday night about carpooling.

6) LOVE LOCKDOWN: THIS SATURDAY @ 7 PM @ OKEC (13522 Goldenwest St., Westminster, 92683).  Praise Night @ OKEC for English Ministries and Youth Groups.  We’re going to try to gather our sister churches once per quarter, and OKEC is hosting the first one.  First time our churches (Logos, UMEC, Sheepgate) will all gather since the Winter Retreat.

7) JOINT EASTER WORSHIP: THIS SUNDAY @ 10:30 AM @ LARGE SANCTUARY.  No service this Sunday @ 9:30 AM @ English Chapel!  We’ll join our families for this special worship time on the most holy day of the Christian calendar.  A week from Sunday, we’ll be back @ our usual time and place.

PRAYER BY DEACON TAE KIM during this Easter service.

8 ) DEVOTIONS: Ezra 2-7 will be postponed to next week, and we’ll read the book of Mark this week.

I’m praying that we all experience the Passion of the Christ this week, and may Philippians 3:10 ring true for us.