1 March 2020 A Monthly Sharing of our Mission and Ministry TIDINGS A TOUCH OF EARTH AND OIL When I was in my first year of seminary, I had the honor of at- tending a class on sacrament at Catholic Theological Union through the consortium of theology schools. It taught me one very im- portant lesson. The ceremony of church is important—very, crucial- ly important. It sets the pace for the whole year, both inside church and inside our lives. I got to be good friends with the Jesuit teacher. He held to a deep belief that the practices of faith were often more important than the “spiritual” things we do each day (take the most common: the Wonder and Welch’s made into the mystery and miracle). Dur- ing this class, my teacher told us of the use of palms, and candles, and oil. Each year, our Catholic friends celebrate a special worship ser- vice on the morning of Maundy Thursday, where the sacred oils for the year are blessed. The three unique oils will be used throughout the church year. At the end of each year, the unused oils are dis- posed of “with care and reverence.” But how? Each year, on Palm Sunday, many congregations mark the first day of Holy Week with a parade of palms, remembering Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. We do this every year, waving palms, and shouting, “Hosannah!” When the parade is done, we collect the remaining palms, and store them safely. But why? Each year, many faith traditions begin their Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday, with a service of the marking of ash on the faith- ful’s foreheads. But how does it all tie together? Each year, while we’re eating pancakes and paczkis on Mardi Gras, last year’s candles are used to light the desiccated palm leaves. They are burned slowly, and turned into the ashes for Wednesday’s service. The service is one of the last before the oil’s annual date comes to pass. A tablespoon of ashes, and a few drops of oil are mixed in a small dish, with care and reverence, blending the sacred- ness of the palms and oil to begin our Lenten journey. Their final blessing in marking our heads: “Remember you are of the earth and to the earth you shall return.” May your Lenten Journey take you to the desert, bring you to meet companions and friends, and find your spirit resurrected. See you in church, LENTEN SUPPER DISCUSSION SERIES Wednesdays, March 4-25 Our weekly Lenten series will begin on March 4, discussing “The Once and Future Church”, with meal served at 6:00 pm and a program beginning at 6:30 pm. See page 5 for more information. UCC LENTEN DEVOTIONALS Deliver Us, composed by the UCC Writers Group, is a collection sharing a progressive Christian faith on the journey with Christ through the stories and experiences of the Lenten scriptures. Readings begin on Ash Wednesday. Pick up one in the Narthex. SPECIAL OFFERING, 3/22 Give generously to this opportunity support justice and peace in our world. See page 4 for more information
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March 2020 A Monthly Sharing of our Mission and Ministry
TIDINGS A TOUCH OF EARTH AND OIL
When I was in my first year of seminary, I had the honor of at-
tending a class on sacrament at Catholic Theological Union through
the consortium of theology schools. It taught me one very im-
portant lesson. The ceremony of church is important—very, crucial-
ly important. It sets the pace for the whole year, both inside church
and inside our lives.
I got to be good friends with the Jesuit teacher. He held to a
deep belief that the practices of faith were often more important
than the “spiritual” things we do each day (take the most common:
the Wonder and Welch’s made into the mystery and miracle). Dur-
ing this class, my teacher told us of the use of palms, and candles,
and oil.
Each year, our Catholic friends celebrate a special worship ser-
vice on the morning of Maundy Thursday, where the sacred oils for
the year are blessed. The three unique oils will be used throughout
the church year. At the end of each year, the unused oils are dis-
posed of “with care and reverence.” But how?
Each year, on Palm Sunday, many congregations mark the first
day of Holy Week with a parade of palms, remembering Jesus’ entry
into Jerusalem. We do this every year, waving palms, and shouting,
“Hosannah!” When the parade is done, we collect the remaining
palms, and store them safely. But why?
Each year, many faith traditions begin their Lenten journey on
Ash Wednesday, with a service of the marking of ash on the faith-
ful’s foreheads. But how does it all tie together?
Each year, while we’re eating pancakes and paczkis on Mardi
Gras, last year’s candles are used to light the desiccated palm leaves.
They are burned slowly, and turned into the ashes for Wednesday’s
service. The service is one of the last before the oil’s annual date
comes to pass. A tablespoon of ashes, and a few drops of oil are
mixed in a small dish, with care and reverence, blending the sacred-
ness of the palms and oil to begin our Lenten journey. Their final
blessing in marking our heads:
“Remember you are of the earth and to the earth you shall return.”
May your Lenten Journey take you to the desert, bring you to meet
companions and friends, and find your spirit resurrected.
3/1 Tim Ebbers, Jim Drew, Dale Priewe, Shan MacAdam
3/8 Phil & Barb Copus, Dennis Jochum, Tom Campbell-Outcault
3/15 Brett & Michele Piefer Ron Slade & Mike Smith
3/22 Jack & Diana Fox, Dan King & Robert Mayfield
3/29 Shirley Ifert, Mary Frazee, Jeanne Koch, Linda Heidenreich
GREETERS
3/1 Michael & Susan Feagan
3/8 David Crowell & Shawn Killingbeck
3/15 Bonnie Gennusa & Sandy DeBoer
3/22 Jeanne Koch & Jane Lehman
3/29 Roger & Deb Swanlund
WELCOMERS
3/1 Marsha Boll & Connie Orde
3/8 Dan King & Robert Mayfield
3/15 Shirley Ifert & Lorraine McMurray
3/22 Mary Frazee & Carla Meyer
3/29 Ulan & Cindy Price
INFANT AND TODDLER ROOM
3/1 Pam Wessel
3/8 Carla Meyer
3/15 Jill Kuntz
3/22 Volunteer Needed
3/29 Pam Wessel
COMMUNION SERVERS
3/1 Mike Smith, Vicki MacAdam, Melinda Fruth, Cindy Price, Colin & Kathryn Eb-bers, Sarah Priewe, Tom Campbell-Outcault
MARCH HOSPITALITY
VOLUNTEERS
On Sunday mornings, we gather for coffee and treats
in the Narthex area and Fellowship Hall to socialize.
If you would like to find a place to sit and talk, there
is plenty of room in the Chapel Hearth.
If your name is on the list below for this month,
please bring in a treat to share. Some ideas are: 3 doz-
en cookies, treat bars, mini muffins, fruit, etc. Also,
please plan to help share in clearing the hospitality
station at the end of the hour.
To ensure everyone has an opportunity to share,
dates are assigned alphabetically from the members
and friends directory. If you are unable to help at this
time, please let the church office know.
3/1 Vanessa Hughes, Shirley Ifert, Dennis & Diane Jochum, Dan King & Robert May-field, Donna Klapp, Hugh & Sarah Knapp, Jeanne Koch, Dan & Marla Kreeger
3/8 Lyle & Jane Krug, Jill Kuntz, Lucille Lee,
Jane Lehman, Shan & Vicki MacAdam, Jean Mahon, Pam Manus