Palm Sunday

3/30/2021

Time to Wave those Palms!

Holy Week begins this Sunday, and we hope you have/will receive(d) a gift from us on your porch, complete with a fresh palm branch (they last longer in water), a Jesus pendant (show us what you make of yours), Holy Week in a bag (daily devotionals), some fun Easter recipes and candy, and a letter from our Leadership Chairman. There is also a Dance Card and tiny umbrella to introduce our Easter Season worship series... but more on that later. The kids have their own set of Resurrection Eggs which count down this holiday (Wed. the 24th was Egg 1, but there's still plenty of time to catch up!) If you didn't receive a porch visit and gift but would like one, please click here to let us know.

This Sunday will begin at 10:00A.M. with a Palm Parade on our front lawn, together with our neighbors from St. Alban's Episcopal Church. I confess: this is my first ecumenical parade, and I am excited! It will be brief, but I encourage you all to join us. In worship at 10:30A.M., we will be singing Hosanna, Loud Hosanna and Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.

Please remember to bring a gift for the Sheffield-Fagan family (Baby Boy #2 is due in April), candy for the children's Easter Egg Hunt next weekend, and some $$ for our North Macedonian missionary, Jennifer Moore.

March 28, 2021 Palm Sunday Worship (in-person and live-streamed)
Wholly Holy, Integrated Health, Matthew 9: 1-8 (MSG)
Click on the white arrow above to join.

Holy Week @home
Next week we invite you to celebrate Holy Week with us - using your "bagged" devotionals at home, watching our Maundy Thursday foot-washing service on YouTube (we'll send you a link Thursday morning), or joining us in the sanctuary or live-streaming on Good Friday, April 2nd at 6:00PM (link below). The Prayer Room (in the sanctuary behind the pulpit) is open Tuesday-Friday 10AM-3PM for private meditation. pictured: The Crucifixion (c) Jan Richardson paintedprayerbook.com.

Click white arrow in red box to join us Good Friday, April 2nd at 6:00PM for a Passion reading of Stations of the Cross and Holy Communion.

Let's use technology to get/stay connected!

Join Bruce Hyink in the Zoom gallery for Sunday School at 8:30AM this week (studying Adam Hamilton's Simon Peter)
Login after worship Sundays at 11:30AM for virtual Fellowship
Try Vera Chipman's ladies Bible study Tuesdays at 12:30PM on Zoom (currently reading 2 Kings)
Visit Pat Ferrell's Bible Study Thursdays at 5:30PM in-person in our Fellowship Hall with Covid precautions (studying Simon Peter)
Paula Allard offers a seasonal online/Zoom study of Simon Peter on Thursdays at 5:30PM (for those not quite ready to meet in person)
Or stop by any of our committee or team meetings. Check the church calendar for Zoom links and details. All are welcome!

A litany of prayer for the mass shooting in Boulder, Psalm 46:1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, and the mountains quake with their surging." Lord, have Mercy on us!

Baby Shower ends
We will wrap up the Diaper Drive next week, so we can get your gifts to the Sheffield-Fagan family before their second son arrives! They have many items, but appreciate diapers, wipes, clothes, or any gifts from your heart. Drop-off during office hours (Tues-Fri 10-3) or on Sunday mornings in box in lobby.

Guadalupe Center
As always, donations for the Guadalupe Cold Weather Shelter can be dropped off in the church lobby in the purple box. We are now asking for everyday dishes and silverware, in addition to the ongoing requests of: new jackets, long sleeved shirts, pants, socks, insulated gloves, and anything that can be useful to someone without housing during the coming months of cold and snow.

Sharing the Gospel in Eastern Europe (North Macedonia)
This month we've asked you to make a financial donation to our United Methodist missionary in Eastern Europe, Jennifer Moore. Covid-19 infection rates and deaths are high, as vaccines remain unavailable. Moral is low and fear of future lockdowns is great. Jennifer and her people need our love, prayers, and financial support as they continue to share the Good News in such painful and difficult times.

Click HERE to give online

Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy Birthday to Jim Brewer (03/27) and Judy Harrison (03/31), Kathy Hinde and Mark Cook (4/1)
Happy Anniversary to Vicki and Steve Christian, celebrating 54 years of marriage next Saturday, April 3.
Please share your dates with us here!

Prayer Requests
For DiAnn Cumings in death of her father Lawerance McLellan; Tony Park (recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's); Kati Ritner; healing for Francy's grandson Ashton, Bud Hillis, Earl Pierce, Vera C, Mary M, Chris D, Larry S, Adam J, Brent J, Jen, Francis; for Kat Sheffield's pregnancy; and for our homebound members Judy C, Eileen F, Ann G, Nancy S, Bud H, Bob K, and Don T.

From the Town of Windsor:

Our friends at Bethel Lutheran welcome you:

Hopping into Easter
The Rec Center will celebrate the 14th Annual Easter Extravaganza with an egg search in the indoor pool, as well as the traditional egg hunt in the gym. Open gym will also be available with other activities and chances to win door prizes. Check their website for more info.

The Mountain Sky Conference is offering great virtual educational opportunities:

Annual District Gatherings: The theme is “Where Love Lives,” from the Western Jurisdiction theme. Our Peaks/Pikes Peak District meets on Zoom Saturday, April 17th from 9-11AM. Each district hosts its own Zoom meeting, Bishop Karen shares a message and Communion, and keynote speaker Rev. Amanda Henderson, author of Holy Chaos: Creating Connections in Divisive Times, offers teaching moments with breakout rooms. Henderson recently partnered with Iliff School of Theology to create the Institute for Religion, Politics & Culture as a place for scholarship and research about the way legislative initiatives are shaped by religion. Please register here (PPP District) by April 9th. We will also elect Equalization Members for this fall's Annual Conference, and present Quiet Disciple Awards.
"Transforming: The Bible & the Lives of Transgender Christians" Spring Book Study: If interested in this offer from NextGen Ministries, please fill out this form.
Just Love and other trainings: If you've missed any virtual, educational opportunities from the Mountain Sky Conference, chances are you can easily access a video recording on their Vimeo site here. Particularly compelling is the Lenten Just Love series (last Sunday on Pushout - the criminalization of black girls).
New Anti-Racism Allyship Group: a new group forming at First UMC Loveland welcomes all Northern Colorado churches to engage in personal growth and advocacy in order to work for change in ourselves and the community. Weekly Zoom meetings provide opportunities to learn and grow with others. Advocacy work includes support for community organizations, sponsoring educational events at your church, and more. To join or learn more, call (970) 667-0876 or email FUMC Loveland's Associate Pastor (and Pastor Emily's dear friend) Rev. Lee Anderson-Harris.