In this E-pistle

HOW CAN WE CALL THIS DAY GOOD?
OUR TRIUMPHANT JOYFUL DAY

HOW CAN WE CALL THIS DAY GOOD FRIDAY? In most of the Romance Languages, the day on which we commemorate Christ’s crucifixion is known as Holy Friday. In Denmark they call it Long Friday and in Germany it is known as Charfreitag or Sorrowful Friday. Some think that the English “Good Friday” is a corruption of the German Gottes Freitag, or God’s Friday – just as good-bye is a corruption of “God be with ye.” Whatever its etymology, we call the day Good, and that has forced us to consider the good that came from this darkest of all days. What Thou, my Lord hast suffered was all for sinner’s gain. “Death has been swallowed up in victory,” Paul writes. (1 Corinthians 15:54) (more…)

This excellent piece, “The Judas I Never Knew,” appears at ChristianityToday.com: Read all about it!

In the E-pistle:

A JOY-FILLED WEEKEND
HOSANNA! LOUD HOSANNA!
THAT NATIONAL INQUIRER GEOGRAPHIC SPECIAL

What a wonderful and joy-filled weekend we have waiting for us!

We begin at 9:00 Saturday morning joining the Deacons for the annual Spring Clean-up of the grounds. The weather people say that the rain should be tapering off just about then, so let’s plan on many hands making quick work. Bring your rakes, brooms, clippers, pruning shears and wheel barrows.

At 7:00 p.m. we’ll gather again, this time is Youth Hall for a very big-screen showing of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Chocolate and a Movie will be a wonderful cross-generational event. The price of admission is a chocolate snack to share, and why not bring a friend!?!

Sunday is Palm Sunday and our mini-message kids will lead us all as they wave the palms and shout Hosanna! Then please plan on staying a bit longer and enjoy great food and fellowship at our second annual Massa Domingo spaghetti luncheon. More great fellowship and a super meal. Take outs will be available plus bakery goods to purchase including biscotti and other delights. Finally, a new friend of our congregation will have some Brazilian handcrafts for any who might be interested. Reservations are not necessary. All proceeds from your free-will offering will support out Summer Brazil Mission.

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