storage.cloversites.comstorage.cloversites.com/peakspringhillparish/documents/…  · Web viewI answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 4Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones,

Worship for the 5th Sunday in Lent, March 29, 2020

This worship material is being sent out to those members of our parish who are unable to worship in person at this time.

Today is the Commemoration of Hans Nielsen Hauge, renewer of the church, who died in 1824. Hauge was a layperson who wished to revitalize the church in Norway. As a result of a mystical experience, he felt called to preach. Many professionals in the church feared his motives and influence, and he was imprisoned for leading unauthorized gatherings.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray.

Almighty God, your Son came into the world to free us all from sin and death. Breathe upon us the power of your Spirit, that we may be raised to new life in Christ and serve you in righteousness all our days, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FIRST READING: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones is a promise that Israel as a nation, though dead in exile, will live again in their land through God’s life-giving spirit. Three times Israel is assured that through this vision they will know that “I am the LORD.”

1The hand of the LORD came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. 3He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.” 4Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 5Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the LORD.”  7So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. 9Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the

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four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” 10I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.  11Then he said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ 12Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. 14I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act, says the LORD.”

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

PSALM: Psalm 130

 1Out of the depths  I cry to you, O LORD; 2O LORD, hear my voice!  Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. 3If you were to keep watch over sins,  O LORD, who could stand? 4Yet with you is forgiveness,  in order that you may be feared.  5I wait for you, O LORD; my soul waits;  in your word is my hope. 6My soul waits for the Lord more than those who keep watch for the morning,  more than those who keep watch for the morning. 7O Israel, wait for the LORD, for with the LORD there is steadfast love;  with the LORD there is plenteous redemption. 8For the LORD shall redeem Israel  from all their sins. 

SECOND READING: Romans 8:6-11

A reading from Romans.

For Paul, Christian spirituality entails living in the reality of the Holy Spirit. The driving force behind our actions and values is not our sinful desire for self-satisfaction but the very Spirit by which God raised Jesus from the dead and will also raise us from the dead.

6To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, 8and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  9But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead

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because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL: John 11:1-45

The holy gospel according to John.

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus is moved to sorrow when his friend Lazarus falls ill and dies. Then, in a dramatic scene, he calls his friend out of the tomb and restores him to life.

1Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. 3So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, 6after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

  7Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. 10But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.” 11After saying this, he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” 12The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.” 13Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. 14Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

  17When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, 19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. 21Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

  28When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, “The

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Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. 34He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35Jesus began to weep. 36So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

  38Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” 40Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

  45Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Fifth Sunday in Lent A: March 29, 2020

This is a very chaotic and difficult time for the whole world. We are told to stay away from others, to stay home if at all possible. Be very wary of touching anything that you personally have not already cleaned with soap and water or a sanitizer of some sort.

We have seen the images from around the world and heard the stories of people made critically ill, and others with no symptoms who are actually contagious and unknowingly pass the virus to others.

It was hard to believe at first- how could this tiny virus be literally flying around the world multiplying so rapidly that counts of the sick and the dead often double from one day to the next. Some dismissed it as propaganda- who knows what it was to accomplish.

The doctor who first recognized it tried to warn his colleagues in China but was officially censored and reprimanded by the government for causing trouble. In the end, China honored him, but it was too late and he was already dead.

I suspect that very few people outside of medical and infectious disease specialists had much knowledge corona viruses. They cause respiratory distress and apparently are usually found in animals, but on occasion infect people. I learned that one of them is very common—the cold. There are as of now no vaccines and no cures—we can only treat the symptoms. Three corona viruses have caused major illness to people within the last 20 years. SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) which emerged in

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late 2002 and disappeared by 2004; MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), which emerged in 2012 and continues to infect camels.

The news of the existence and the rapid spread of the novel covid 19 from China to all parts of the world has become the number one topic in the media as attempts are being made to “flatten the curve” of its spread to give suppliers a chance to manufacture the equipment and testing supplies to figure out who has it and to provide the critical care needed for those who develop severe pneumonia.

We feel trapped at home, unable to visit family and friends in nursing care facilities and hospitals. And folks like my mom and so many others are confined to their rooms in the nursing care facilities and often have just 4 walls to stare at.

In the old testament reading from Ezekiel, the prophet is given a vision from God of a valley filled with dry human bones—an image of a nation that is dead. Ezekiel is talking to the exiles who have seen their city destroyed and themselves cast out of the country. The country of Judah had been thrown down by the Babylonian army in 586 BC. The exiles believed that they had been abandoned by God.

The vision of Ezekiel is one of hope-- a promise that the Lord can bring the people back to life- restore the nation of Judah. From scattered bones to a restored nation. But how can this be done?

In the Gospel from John, Jesus confronts the sisters Mary and Martha who are grieving the death of their brother Lazarus. Jesus had been asked to go to the town of Bethany some days ago because Lazarus was dying. But he delays his return to his friends’ home and Jesus finally shows up after he has been dead for four days.

The sisters were grieving. For them, all is lost as they have no other man to care for them. They believed that if Jesus had been there in time, Lazarus would not have died.

Remember than in the gospel of John, the author uses signs or miracles to point to who Jesus is and the power that he has from God. Last week the blind man was given his sight—he was able to see the truth of Jesus as the Son of God—the one sent to Israel to proclaim the power of God to open the eyes of those who cannot yet see who Jesus is, to experience the light of the world instead of continuing to dwell in darkness.

The week we see the final sign in the gospel—those who die are raised to new life. This is a story we find in many bible stories. A prophet or Jesus or an apostle calls on the one who was dead and restores that person to life.

Jesus has power over the forces of death. These stories are of a return to life, but not of resurrection. It is not until Jesus is crucified and buried and then raised to new life beyond death that we are given the promise of life beyond our death in this life.

In Ezekiel, the dry bones are called together to form skeletons, then are covered with muscle and tissue and skin. But they are still dead and without life.

It is not until God tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the breath, the Spirit of the Living God, that the dead men are given life again. Without the Spirit, the breath of God there is no life.

The Lord speaks, and it comes to be. The creation of the world in Genesis, the new life to the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel, restoration of life to the dead Lazarus.

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Without God’s living spirit in us, received in our baptism, we are essentially dead. It is God’s force that brings new life.

Those who have died in this world are called to come to live in God’s presence with a new resurrection body. That is our promise and our hope.

The corona virus is ravaging the world and the US now has the dubious honor of having more cases than any other country at this time.

But we are given hope that this is something that we can as individuals do to protect others—that we can act in love toward our neighbors in the hope that they will not be overtaken by covid 19. We will not be defeated by this or anything that any power can inflict on us as long as God promises to raise us up at the last day.

Finally, I want to share a poem my sister sent to me-

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PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Turning our hearts to God who is gracious and merciful, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

God of life, bind your faithful people into one body. Enliven the church with your Spirit and bless the work of those who work for its renewal (like Hans Nielsen Hauge, whom we commemorate today). Accomplish your work of salvation in us and through us, for the sake of the world. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of life, you love the world you have made and you grieve when creation suffers. Restore polluted lands and waterways. Heal areas of the world ravaged by storms, floods, wildfires, droughts, or other natural disasters (especially). Bring all things to new life. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of life, show redemption to all who watch and wait with eager expectation: those longing for wars to cease, those waiting for immigration paperwork to finalize, those seeking election, and those in dire need of humanitarian relief. Come quickly with your hope. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of life, you weep with those who grieve. Unbind all who are held captive by anxiety, despair, or pain (especially). Fill us with compassion and empathy for those who struggle, and keep us faithful in prayer. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of life, we give thanks for opportunities for this congregation to collaborate with our community in caring for the needs of our neighbors, especially with the People’s Picnic in Finlay Park, with We Care Food Pantry and with the HUB VBS program. Strengthen our ties with other local congregations, agencies, and services. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of life, you are our resurrection. We remember all those who have died and trust that, in you, they will live again (especially). Breathe new life into our dry bones, that we, too, might live with you forever. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

According to your steadfast love, O God, hear these and all our prayers as we commend them to you; through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

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BENEDICTIONThe God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another,in accordance with Christ Jesus.Amen.The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.The God of all grace ☩ bless you now and forever. Amen.

The Rev. Dr. Beverly Aurand

3/29/2020

We pray for those in special need of prayer;

Those in our Parish in special need of prayer for healing:

Albert Amick Betty Amick Glenn Amick Lester Amick Peggy Amick Pastor Beverly

Robin Bartsch

Paul Bates Bonnie Bates Gene Boland Eddie Boozer Frank Branham

Linda Branham

Jack Canon Hazel Caudle Judy Chastain Leon Chastain Susan Clements

Alice Eargle Irma Edwards

Marcia Ellerman

Evelyn Frick Lonnie Ellisor Ola Mae Ellisor

Faye Haltiwanger

Kathy Havird Sandra Kroll Maggie Malik Jesse Ochoa Mike Powers

Calvin Shealy Don Shealy Dot Shealy Frankie Shealy Monroe Shealy Dr. Joe Smith

Joe Zeigler Margaret Zeigler

Family and Friends in need of healing:

Judy Watson’s son, Rodney Watson Faye Haltiwanger’s friend, Steve Meetze

Kim Summer’s mother, Susie Gorsage Cluster Pastor, Pr John Derrick

Linda Amick’s brother, Bubba Munn FACES friend, Betty Wessinger

Linda Amick’s friend, Bennie Reeves Annie Laura Summer’s friend, Dawkins Jasinski

Linda Amick’s friend, Nell Boozer Annie Laura Summer’s sister, Mary

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Linda Amick’s friend, Krista Hartley Mary Garrett’s sister, Doris

Albert Amick’s sister, Nellie Amick Morris Mary Garrett’s cousin, Douglas

Albert Amick’s sister, Jeannette Hipp Ayers Maggie Malik & Eddie Boozer’s friend, Hank Padget

Albert Amick’s niece, Jenny Powell Gene Boland’s friend, Tommy Brown

Betty Jo Amick’s cousin, Landon Derrick David Price’s sister, Jeannie Gresham

Mt. Olivet neighbor, Scarlet Kasperbauer Kristie Benton’s Sister-in-Law, Eileen Griffin

Wanda Edward’s mother, Betty Moore Frankie Shealy’s sister, Jolene Haigler

Pr Beverly’s mother, Carol Robbins Shelia Goin’s husband, Dexter

Gretchen Boland’s mother, Clara Gency Robert & Shirley’s friend, Don Dicus

Linda Branham’s mother, Georgia CannonLaura Rogers’ church, Hope Lutheran in Hampton, VA

Gerald & Wanda Edwards’ nephews, Brett & Jacob Rhoad Marcia Ellerman’s husband, Bill Ellerman

Tony Ard’s Aunt BarbaraFaye Haltiwanger’s dtr-in-law, Mary Anne Taylor-Haltiwanger

Tony Ard’s brother, Buddy Ard

Pr Beverly’s friends with cancer, Marilyn Schroer, Nancy Warren, Elyse Thaler, Cathi Braasch, Sandy Smith

Others: Skip Garrett, Delois Oliver, Chris Powers, Lisa Rowland, Shirley Gossett,

Baby Girl E

Members and family who are shut-ins at Home and in Residential care facilities:

Faye Amick, Mt. Olivet (Lowman) Alice Eargle, Mt. Olivet (home)

Betty Amick, Mt. Olivet- (Home) Dot Shealy, Mt. Olivet (Home)

Robin Bartsch, Mt. Olivet (Home) Don Shealy, Mt. Olivet (Nat’l Care Home)

Madge Bartsch, Irma Edward’s sister, Mt. O (Gen.)

Mrs Frankie Shealy, Mt Olivet, (Lowman)

Sylvia Drummond, Mt. Hermon (Brian Center) Joe Zeigler , Mt. Olivet (home)

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Members & Family Members Serving in the military or law enforcement:Shane Kitchen, Sheriff’s Department (Mt H) Brandon Blackman, Army (Marry Garrett’s grandson, Mt O) John Gorsage, Army (Kim Summer’s brother, Mt H) Devin Brewer, Marine, (Mary Garrett’s nephew, Mt O) Laine Dowdy, Marine (Mary Garrett’s grandson, Mt O)Joe Blackman, Police (Mary Garrett’s grandson, Mt O)

Safety for those in our parish who are traveling for business and pleasure

Confidence and patience for those who are studying at institutions of higher education: Joanna Dyches and Emily Sellers (USC), Brook Ellisor (Tech), Ashelyn Ariail (College of Charleston), Tred Dixon (Tri-County Tech, and then to Clemson), Georgia Summer (Anderson) and Shelia Goins (LTSS), Shane Kitchen (Newberry College) All those who are hungry, and all those who help provide nourishing meals for them, especially for the work of We Care, and for the volunteers who help to provide and serve healthy meals at Finlay Park every Sunday.

Those suffering from loss: The families and friends of those killed in our country and around the world from violence including those wounded and the families of those who died; those experiencing terrorism, war, illness, neglect, abuse, hunger, homelessness, disasters and oppression; those who are victims of hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, drought, famine as well other major storms and natural disasters in so many parts of the world, for refugees seeking shelter and a homeland; for all those who have lost their jobs and are searching for employment.

Those who were hospitalized/in rehab, and all who have had surgical procedures: Don Shealy is at National Health Care; Betty Amick is at Lowman; Mrs Frankie Shealy is at Lowman.

For those who are suffering from covid 19, those who are in quarantine, those medical personnel who care for them. For all those whose plans are interrupted by the pandemic; for those who are in positions of leadership throughout the world that the plans made to prevent treat it and keep as many as possible safe from getting it, that they might be filled with your wisdom and compassion.

Those who are dying and the hospice and medical teams who provide them and their families with care and support

Those who are grieving including Kathy Havird’s family on her death on March 29; Ola Mae Ellisor’s family on the loss of her 2 year old great grand nephew, and the 4 co-eds killed in an accident in NC on March 13; one of the young women, Chaney Partrich, was a graduate of Chapin High School and a friend of Brook Ellisor.

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We are including prayer partners in our Prayers of the Church each week. We are praying for the pastors and parishes in the SC Synod. We will NOT pass through the church at this time; pastor will sign it on behalf of all of us. We send it to the person let them know that we are holding them in prayer this week. Today we are praying for the The Rev Rodney Gunter, pastor of Beth Eden Lutheran Church in Newberry.

Kathy Counts Havird died very suddenly early this morning. There will be a private family graveside service when she is buried at the Mt Hermon cemetery. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

THERE WILL BE NO WORSHIP AND NO OTHER ACTIVITIES AT EITHER CHURCH FROM NOW UNTIL April 18th. Beyond that date, we will determine how much longer we will wait to return to our regular schedule. Please stay healthy and check on your elderly neighbors and family members—by phone—to see who might be in need of groceries or other supplies.

LARGE PRINT BULLETINS: We can provide a large print version of the worship bulletin for anyone who would prefer to use one. Please let Pastor Beverly know if that would be helpful for you, and we will print them out.

Even when we are not gathered regularly for worship, our churches and our parish still have expenses that need to be paid. You can help your church stay financially healthy by sending your regular church offerings to your church treasurer—send to Linda Branham for Mt Olivet and to Bob Ariail for Mt Hermon.

Please remember We Care, our area food bank, with a donation in the basket in the narthex at both churches to help neighbors who are hungry and in need. Food Items needed: tuna, Spaghetti O’s, canned fruit, jam/jelly, chili beans, baked pork & beans, mac & cheese, corn muffin mix, canned potatoes/ yams, syrup. Always need: Laundry detergent; Dish detergent; Cleaning supplies; Personal hygiene products; Baby diapers & wipes; Paper products; Plastic grocery bags. If each of us put a couple of items in our grocery carts each week for We Care, we can share the responsibility of helping our neighbors in need. You can also put a check in the offering plate or mailed to Bob Ariail at Mt Hermon or to Linda Branham at Mt Olivet. Please make the check out to Olivet or Mt. Hermon, with a notation on the memo line: We Care. You may also continue to drop off items at the churches—in the narthex at Mt. Hermon or in the breezeway for Mt. Olivet.

DELAYED: The People’s Picnic always needs donations of paper plates, plastic cups, plastic forks, aluminum foil and grocery bags. Please put your donations in the marked box in the narthex or in the breezeway. We need to continue to collect these items, but the People’s Picnic is NOT being held for the next few weeks as the park has been closed temporarily.

DELAYED: The Spring Yard Sale is coming—but is has been delayed! However, you can start leaving the items in the breezeway of Mt. Olivet’s Fellowship Hall. If the church is locked, please leave them in the breezeway. We can still collect your items and we will let you know the new date.

DELAYED: Relay for Life raises funds for the American Cancer Society for cancer research with the goal of finding a cure for cancer. The Relay, scheduled for May 2, has been postponed. Ask Betty Jo or Albert Amick for information on sponsorships, tee shirts and luminaria.

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SC SYNOD ASSEMBLY- there is a back up plan in place, and as soon as we are made aware of it, I will pass it along. We need one more delegate from Mt Hermon for the SC Synod Assembly.

MAY BE DELAYED: The Mt. Hermon Christian Education Committee met to begin to plan for VBS at Mt. Hermon this summer. Please make your calendars now and save the week of June 22-26, Monday through Friday. At this time we plan for the children from the HUB to attend from 9 am- 1 pm and the PSP families will attend from 6 – 8 pm. We want to have families sign up for the program early this spring so we’ll know how many folks to prepare for. We will need volunteers to help in the kitchen, help with the classes and projects. Watch for more information, but please mark your calendars now.

In order to protect each other during the covid 19 pandemic, please wash your hands with soap and water before the service or use the hand sanitizer in the narthex. We are not be offering communion at this time, but from now on, Communion Assistants will use the hand sanitizer on the altar before handing the communion elements. Those preparing the communion table should wash with soap and water or hand sanitizer before handing the communion vessels as well as afterwards. Let’s practice the peace wave, and good hygiene techniques. Please do not hug anyone or shake hands with anyone before or after the service- instead wave, speak to them, or bump elbows. If you need to cough or sneeze, please do so into a tissue and then immediately put that tissue in the waste can in the bathroom. Follow that up by washing with soap and water. We don’t want any of our members to get sick from this illness that is especially dangerous for the elderly and others with compromised immune systems. Nursing homes and assisted living residences are not allowing visitors.

If you are sick, please stay home. Please call Pastor Beverly if you or another member of the parish is sick, moves into a rehab, assisted living or nursing care, is hospitalized, or having surgery. She will put them on the prayer list and she can always visit by phone.

-EACH CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBER voted by email this weekend TO CLOSE both churches for all activities through April 15. Before April 19 they will vote again for another 2 week period. After that, they will decide on whether or not we will worship or hold any meetings in the church buildings. When we do gather for worship together, we will plan for that first Sunday back to be celebrated as Palm Sunday and the 2nd Sunday back to be celebrated as Easter Sunday.-

CHURCH CALENDAR

DATE TIME EVENTSUNDAYMarch 295th Sunday in Lent

9:00 am10:00 am 11:00 am

Worship at Mt. Hermon Sunday School: CANCELLEDWorship with Holy Communion at Mt. Olivet: CANCELLED

ALL EVENTS FROM MARCH 30 UNTIL APRIL 18 ARE CANCELLED.. Please stay at home if you are sick in any way or have a compromised immune system.WEDNESDAYApril 1

Confirmation class is CANCELLEDMidweek Lenten Worship at 7 pm is CANCELLED

SUNDAYApril 5 WORSHIP AND CHURCH COUNCIL ARE CANCELLED

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Palm/ Passion SundayMONDAYApril 6Holy Monday

WORSHIP AND ALL OTHER EVENTS ARE CANCELLED

THURSDAYApril 9Holy Thursday

WORSHIP AND ALL OTHER EVENTS ARE CANCELLED

FRIDAYApril 10Good Friday

WORSHIP AND ALL OTHER EVENTS ARE CANCELLED

SATURDAYApril 11

ALL EVENTS ARE CANCELLED

SUNDAYApril 12Easter Sunday

WORSHIP AND ALL EVENTS ARE CANCELLED

MONDAYApril 13

ALL EVENTS ARE CANCELLED

WEDNESDAYApril 15

ALL EVENTS ARE CANCELLED

FRIDAYApril 17

ALL EVENTS ARE CANCELLED

SATURDAYApril 18

ALL EVENTS ARE CANCELLED

Council will vote to determine whether or not to continue to cancel events, or to resume our normal activities. These activities are all tentative.SUNDAYApril 192nd Sunday of Easter

9:00 am10:00 am11:00 am

Worship with Holy Communion at Mt. Hermon Sunday SchoolWorship with Holy Communion at Mt. Olivet

SATURDAYApril 25

8- noon Indoor Yard Sale at Mt. Olivet to Benefit Relay for Life POSTPONED

SUNDAYApril 263rd Sunday of Easter

9:00 am10:00 am11:00 am

1-2 pm

Worship with Holy Communion at Mt. Hermon Sunday SchoolWorship with Holy Communion at Mt. Olivet People’s Picnic at Finlay Park

WEDNESDAYApril 29

4- 5:30 pm

Confirmation class in Mt. Olivet’s Conference Room.

SATURDAYMay 2

6-10 pm Relay for Life at Crooked Creek— WILL BE RESCHEDULED

SUNDAYMay 34th Sunday of Easter

9:00 am10:00 am11:00 am12:15 pm

5 pm

Worship with Holy Communion at Mt. Hermon Sunday SchoolWorship with Holy Communion at Mt. Olivet Mt. O Church Council in Conference RoomMt H Church Council in Fellowship Hall

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