Holy Week

Holy Thursday, April 1

A Holy Thursday service is set for 6 p.m in the sanctuary. There will be special music, scripture readings with reflections and Holy Communion. The service will end in silence with a dramatic stripping of the altar.

We will screen “The Passion of the Christ” at 7:15 p.m. in Herd Auditorium. The movie is open to anyone who would like to attend.

Good Friday, April 2

Journey to the Cross is a self-guided journey which will carry you through key moments in the last days of Jesus’ ministry. The event will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the signs to the southwest entrance of the sanctuary. There will be stations in the sanctuary featuring key scriptures from the story of Jesus along with visual scenes taken from scriptures. Proceed at your own pace. Let each scripture and your thoughts about Christ engulf you.

Members of our prayer team and spiritual formation team will be praying silently for you and will be available to pray with you if you feel led to have a prayer partner. Communion and prayer in the
sanctuary will be available. As you conclude your time in the sanctuary, you can choose to watch a video in the Connection Room.

Organ recitals

There will be 30-minute meditative organ recitals at 12:05 p.m. March 29, 30 and 31 in the sanctuary. Lunch will be available in Pirtle Hall ($5) following each concert.

• Monday - Bradley Reznicek, organist at St. Andrew UMC in Plano
• Tuesday - Donald Duncan, director of music ministry and organist at Tyler's First Presbyterian Church
• Wednesday - Dr. Brian Campbell, Marvin's new organist and associate music director

Easter, April 4

We will have four services at the regular times, 8:45 and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary and in Herd Auditorium. We encourage members to attend the early services if possible, to make room for guests in the late services.

Easter lilies

Click here to print an order form for Easter lilies. The deadline to order is noon on Friday, March 26.

Easter offering for missions

Our Easter Offering for Missions benefits four ministries, two local and two worldwide. PATH and the East Texas Food Bank minister to thousands of those in need in Tyler and the surrounding area. Lives around the world are touched by UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) and the work of Revs. Paul and Saba Renjithan in India.

Our offering goal is $16,000. To help make a difference, just mark your contribution “Easter Offering for Missions” and bring or mail it to the church by Easter, April 4.

The coming of Light

The Lenten season helps retell the story of Christ’s passion and moves followers of Jesus to a deeper understanding of the miracle of Easter. The word Lent comes from “lencten” or Lengthening of daylight hours as springtime approaches. Symbolically, it means the coming of Light following the darkness of Christ’s death.

It was the custom of the early church that before the Easter celebration, there would be a 40-day season of preparation. The 40 days of observance come from Biblical references of special time spent with God in preparation for important revelations or events. For example, Jesus withdrew to the desert to fast and pray for 40 days before beginning his public ministry (Matthew 4:1-2, Luke 4:1-2). Moses fasted and prayer for 40 days on Mount Sinai when God gave the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:27-28).

Lent is traditionally observed as a time of self-examination and reconciliation with God. It is a season for reflection and taking stock of things that hinder our intimacy with God. Lent encourages penitence and seeking God’s renewing forgiveness. The church identifies practices that encourage spiritual growth: reading and meditating on Scripture; prayer; participation in worship services; participating in Christian service; and giving extra money to help others in need.
How can you observe Lent?

• Attend worship services each week.
• Following at a Distance Connection Room study—Six self-contained lessons explore how we can let fear keep us from a closer relationship with Jesus. This class meets at 9:45 a.m. in the Connection Room from Feb. 21–March 28. Come for one lesson or come for all.
• Seek God for the City—This is a prayer guide that will take you through the 40 days of Lent and provide a way for you to pray for specific groups of people in your city. These guides are available in the Welcome Center.
• Mid-Week Meditation services—During Lent, this meditative service will focus on a specific group, including mothers and children, the homeless, civil servants, medical providers and the media, and will offer prayers for that group. The service is at 12:05 p.m. each Wednesday in the chapel.
• The Bible in 90 Days—A pilot group will participate in this program this spring. The church as a whole will have the chance to participate in the fall. The pilot group will meet at 10 a.m. on Thursdays, and the group is limited to 12 people. Contact Dr. Doug Baker (903.592.7396) to register.
• Take your children to the Resurrection Walk March 28.
• Holy Thursday service—6 p.m. April 1 in the sanctuary with the Chancel Choir and Communion
• Thursday night watch "The Passion of the Christ" movie - 7:15 p.m. April 1
• Journey to the Cross—11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Good Friday, April 2, in the sanctuary. This is a self-guided experiential worship experience focusing on Christ’s journey to the cross.
• Holy Week organ concerts—12:05 p.m. March 29, 30, 31 and April 1. No Mid-Week Meditation during Holy Week.
•  Four Easter services at our regular worship time April 4: 8:45 and 11 a.m.

Consider these opportunities for Christian service during Lent:

• Work at the St. Paul Pantry and Closet (contact Linda, 903.531.9455)
• Assist with Marvin nights at the East Texas Rescue Mission (contact Shannon Pogue, 903.592.7396)
• Volunteer at Texas Mission of Mercy March 27 (contact Melissa Brigman, 903.593.7396)