Dear Members & Friends,
“Behold! Your king comes to you, riding on a donkey!” This week is Holy Week. We begin with Palm Sunday and then four times, from each Gospel, we’ll hear the accounts of the Passion of our Lord Jesus. We preach Christ and Him crucified. Even during a pandemic, His suffering, death on Calvary and resurrection are the center of our life. In fact, they are the great events that give us salvation and hope! As we are surrounded by fear, uncertainty, sickness, and death, declare boldly: Christ has conquered sin and death! Proclaim loudly, “I am baptized!”There’s nothing new since our Wednesday Email. This one is just a reminder of our worship streaming opportunities. Make sure to let others know!
Palms
Need Palms for Palm Sunday? Click the link HERE. Color and share to our FACEBOOK PAGE.
However, our videos are also live and recorded on YOUTUBE HERE.
The simplest way to watch online is probably through our church’s website HERE
Make sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to our Facebook and YouTube Pages so you get updates when we go live and or add videos.
We will be attempting to stream live BOTH on Facebook and YouTube for services. We are working for as many to watch as possible, even if you don’t use Facebook.
Holy Week and Easter Services
Holy Week begins THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 5. This is the schedule for Holy Week and Easter as it is currently planned:
Sunday- Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion – Live-Stream Sunday at 9 AM
Monday-Wednesday of Holy Week – Recorded Services posted at 7 PM
Maundy Thursday – Live-Stream at 7 PM
Good Friday – Live-Stream at 7 PM
Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil Live Stream at 6 PM
Easter Sunday – Live Stream at 6 AM (Sunrise) and 9 AM (Matins)
Remember that all services are recorded and will be available to watch any time after they are live on our YouTube Channel or via the church’s website.
Daily Devotions
Pastor is live on Facebook every day, Monday through Saturday for Daily Devotions. Tune in to start your day with the Word of God and prayer.
Prayers for Healthcare and other “Frontline” workers.
We’d like to include a list of family and friends who we know are working on the “front lines” of this pandemic. If you know of healthcare workers, first responders, grocery store cashiers, and others who are out there working during all of this, please let us know so that we can compile a list of their names to bring before the Lord in our prayers. You can EMAIL, CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE OR PASTOR, or TEXT PASTOR names you would like included. Please let us know their NAME and WHERE THEY WORK.
Offerings
We ask and encourage every family to consider their offerings that they would normally give to the church. Please MAIL YOUR CHECK or set up your bank account to make a DIRECT BILL PAY to the church. I know there is a ripple effect in our economy. Please consider God’s promise that He will indeed provide us our daily bread. Our offerings help provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ through pastoral ministry and for those in need.
Easter Egg Hunt
We have had to cancel our Easter Egg scheduled for the 11th. However, we’ll be making DELIVERIES OF EASTER EGGS TO CHURCH AND SCHOOL FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN. These drop-offs will take place next week. Thanks to our Board of Outreach for changing gears on this and working it out in our present circumstances.
Portals of Prayer
If you need Portals of Prayer (or any other resources), please let the Office know and we can mail you a copy.
Pastoral Care
I’ve been calling to check in on our members. My number is:
(618) 318-3680
It’s an unusual area code (Southern Illinois) which means you might think I’m a scam caller. So if you see that number pop up, it’s just me. Please ADD ME to your Contacts so you’ll know who’s calling.
While we are scattered “in exile,” nevertheless the Word of God endures. And God’s people gather around that Word to hear what Jesus has done for us. He accomplishes what His Father gave Him to do: be the Savior of the world. To be your Savior. “See” you at our virtual services!
In Christ,
Pastor Buetow
Download this week’s Bulletin, Daily Devotions, NewsNotes and Volunteer Schedules from our website here:
