Week of March 24, 2024 - Passion Week

This Sunday, known as Palm Sunday, marks Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as begins the climax of Jesus' redemptive ministry, known as Passion Week or Holy Week.  On Palm Sunday, Jesus the Messiah fulfills the prophesy recorded in the Old Testament book of Zechariah concerning Him.  Our emotions will careen from excitement to fear to sorrow and then to ultimate joy as Jesus moves inexorably towards death on the cross as the Lamb sacrificed for our sins and then to His glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday.  Please join us as we follow Jesus' path this week.

Rejoice, O people of Zion!
    Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
    He is righteous and victorious,
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—    
riding on a donkey’s colt. - Zechariah 9:9 (NLT)

As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” ... The two disciples did as Jesus commanded.  They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God for the Son of David!
    Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
    Praise God in highest heaven!”
 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” - Matthew 21: 1-3, 6-11 (NLT)

Easter Morning Breakfast - request for muffins, etc.  We will once again offer our famous Easter morning breakfast after Sunrise service on March 31.  Breakfast will be in Trumbull Hall at the Etna church.   We could use your donation of some muffins, pastries, or breakfast breads to add to the menu!  Norma Pelton asks anyone who wishes to provide some of these treats to please leave them in the kitchen at Trumbull Hall in Etna any time next Saturday (March 30).  Thank you very much for your consideration and for your assistance!

Missions Committee:  We're happy to provide the latest update from missionaries Tim and Marketa Southerland.  Big things are happening in Curaçao!  Please click here to see the Southerlands' March update.  We ask you to continue to pray for the growth of their mission.  

Joining Journeys - RESCHEDULED TO APRIL 28 due to weather:  If you consider this church family your home church but haven’t yet made it official, you're invited to an upcoming information meeting  this Sunday, March 24 on Sunday April 28, right after the morning service. Pastor Chris would love to share with you the journey our church is on and what membership means, as well as answer any questions you might have.

Alpha 2024:  Alpha is a night of eating and group discussion. We look at some of the big questions of life, the answers that the Christian faith gives to those questions, and then everyone is invited to share their own thoughts in a safe and judgement-free space. You're invited, no matter your background or beliefs. If you're asking, “Is this really for someone like me?” the answer is “yes!” It's completely free and there's no pressure to come back. Alpha meets in Trumbull Hall Sunday evenings at 6:30 pm.  The Week 5 meeting is this Sunday, March 24.  Note that Alpha will not meet on Easter Sunday evening.
If you're still curious -- and we urge you to Stay Curious! -- please join us this week.  We'd all love to see you at Alpha!  Invite your friends, colleagues, and neighbors.

Spring Rummage Sale! The Spring Etna Ladies Aid Rummage Sale will be Friday, April 12, noon to 6:00 pm and Saturday, April 13, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in Trumbull Hall, Etna.
$5 a bag after 11:00 am on Saturday.
Donations of clean, seasonal clothing, jewelry, and small household items in good condition accepted at Trumbull Hall Tuesday to Thursday (4/9-4/11).
Please, no books, CDs, electronics, or exercise equipment.
All the funds raised are used to serve the community.