Dear Church,
I hope this finds you doing well and having a good week. We are in the midst of Holy Week and there is a lot going on at SSCC. Our staff and lay leaders are preparing for meaningful worship services, fellowship events and egg hunts. Youth Ministry is preparing for the 20th Mexico Mission trip, Outreach is preparing for our Challenge Hunger initiative which kicks off on Easter Sunday, and The Day School is having its Spring Hat Parades, a most favorite event. I love that our church is alive this week with so many good things happening.
As we prepare for our journey from the Upper Room to the Cross to the Empty Tomb, I want to highlight what is going on over the next few days.
Maundy Thursday- April 2nd 8 PM
Maundy Thursday is a special day at SSCC. The 8:00pm worship experience weaves elements of a communion service and the ancient series of lessons and music called Tenebrae. A service of Light and Darkness, the lessons tell the Passion story, interspersed with musical reflections, in increasing darkness. The evening ends in silence. A most moving worship experience
Good Friday- April 3 from 12 PM until 2 PM
The sanctuary will be open from 12 until 2 PM for you to move through stations that walk us through the journey of Good Friday. This is an opportunity for personal reflection on this holy, yet difficult day.
Easter Sunday- April 5- Worship at 9 and 11:15 AM Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt at 10 AM
Come and celebrate the resurrection with the pageantry of Easter Sunday worship. Both services will feature amazing music, a special time for children, and open communion. My sermon at both services is entitled “If Not Here, Then Where?” Please consider who you will be inviting on Easter. I also encourage our members to make room for our guests. Move over towards the center of each pew so that late arriving guests may sit on the end. Consider parking a little farther our so that guests and those who need to park closer can do so. I am so excited to share in this Easter Sunday with our church. You don’t want to miss it!
Following Sunday services, both Katie Gibson, who is directing the trip with Bryant Gibson, and I will be flying to San Diego and crossing the border to be with our Mexico Mission team. I was excited to be asked to be a part of this 20th trip. From Mexico, I will go to Kansas City for the Board meetings of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), returning to Atlanta on April 14. If you have a pastoral care need during this time, please contact the office at 404-256-2582 or Barbara Duren at the church or by email, barbaragduren@gmail.com and she will get you pointed in the right direction. Thank you Barb for taking on this important role. Please be in prayer for our missionaries and for all who will be traveling over the next couple of weeks.
One last thing I want to share. I am sure you are aware of SEA 101 in Indiana, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) that was enacted in Indiana. The offices of our denomination are located in Indianapolis and our General Assembly was scheduled to be held in Indianapolis in 2017. Earlier this week, the General Board of our denomination (of which I am a member) voted to move the General Assembly to another location in 2017. I am linking the letter from our General Minister and President, Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins. http://disciples.org/sharon_blog/ministry-leaders-send-letter-to-governor/ If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me an email or give me a phone call at church.
I am looking forward to a wonderful Easter celebration! Blessings on your journey from table to cross to empty tomb.
Grace and peace,
Danny
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