Coats
“They brought the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” -Luke 19:35-38
“Put your COAT ON!” Is a phrase I say several times a day to my precious children. Spring has sprung and they think it’s summer, running around on windy days with no coats and sometimes no shoes! A thought which never occurred to me B.C. (before children) is wondering how many moms at the end of Palm Sunday were frustrated with their kids for leaving their coats on the road for Jesus to ride over?
I can just imagine that conversation:
“Isaac, where is your coat?”
“I don’t know?”
“What do you mean, you don’t know???”
“Well, I put in on the road for Jesus.”
“WHAT?? WHY would you put your coat on the road for Jesus?”
“Everyone was doing it!”
“Well if everyone was jumping off a bridge would you do it too?” (Ok, maybe that last one is a stretch and I might be slightly sarcastic due to so much time alone with my children at home… you get the idea.)
It was a bit strange to put their cloaks on the road for Jesus to ride over. It was a sign of his majesty, kind of like a special “red carpet” to walk on. The point of it all was to celebrate the coming of the king. People were excited over Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem for the Passover, the celebration of God rescuing their ancestors out of slavery in Egypt. They were expecting God to rescue them once again and believed Jesus was the one to do it. Their expectations were not how God chose to rescue them. Jesus did, in fact, rescue his people, and ALL people, but not by conquering the Romans. He rescued us all by his death and resurrection.
As we prepare for Holy Week and Easter, this is a strange time indeed. We do not know when we will be able to worship together in person again. It is our desire to stay connected and keep our congregation safe. We will not put anyone in danger so we will continue our online worship until it is safe to meet together. I pray that you have been able to enjoy the live stream and continue your prayer and devotion time at home. Easter will be different this year, but we celebrate resurrection every day. As you watch flowers bloom and trees budding into leaves, we bear witness to new life in Christ. God continues to work in and through us during this time of separation. Please share your stories and prayers with us as we encourage one another.
Lord, our world is in crisis. Help us to hear your voice in these strange and unfamiliar days. Please continue to provide for our needs. Give us courage to reach out and care for other people in safe and meaningful ways. Comfort us in moments of worry or fear and help us to be the Body of Christ. Amen.
COMMUNION CONNECTION
This Sunday, April 5, is our typical communion service during worship. Since we cannot worship together in person, we are compiling photos and videos of our church community experiencing the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. We would love to include your home communion as well. Please share a photo on our Kennewick First Presbyterian Church Friends & Family Facebook group or email to: pastor.hanna@kfpc.org by April 1st. AND have your communion elements: bread or crackers and wine or grape juice ready on Sunday while watching the livestream of worship so you can share in the Lord’s Supper with us. Bless you as we continue to love and serve the Lord in unity while apart.
PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY this WEDNESDAY
Our Pastor’s Bible Study will be 10am WEDNESDAY on Facebook Live on our Kennewick First Presbyterian Page (not the KFPC Friends and Family group). You can watch it anytime after that as well, but I won’t be able to answer questions after the livestream ends. I hope you will join me even if you haven’t participated before with this group, it will be great to connect!
THANK YOU FOR GIVING
Thank you for faithfully supporting the ministries of the church which are continuing through online connections & mail. Did you know you can give your tithes and offerings online on the church APP or church website, It’s easy. It’s safe. In fact, the more of us that do this, the lower per-donation fee we are charged. Our ministry work is more important than ever! Give it a try.
WORSHIP
Please join us online this Sunday for Live-Streaming Worship at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.:
LIVE STREAM on YouTube: http://bit.ly/
Kennewick First Pres APP: http://get.theapp.co/8db7
HOLY WEEK SERVICES
Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin word “maundatum” (meaning: command) from John 13:34-35:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Since we are unable to worship together in person, we created a simple “scavenger hunt” for you to post and share. We will send scripture readings and a prayer during Holy Week, and hopefully you can have some fun putting together your own service at home!
Maundy Thursday Scavenger Hunt Challenge
Please post photos or stories showing:
- Favorite work of art depicting the Last Supper
- Picture of your favorite type of bread/tastiest/most creative communion bread you’ve had
- Picture/video of you/your family having dinner on Maundy Thursday
- Photo of a foot washing
- Picture of Serving Others
Good Friday online service at noon and 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday online worship at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
