Today – One Great Hour of Sharing Offering Palm Sunday. Since 1949, millions of Christians have joined, through One Great Hour of Sharing, to share God’s love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives and work together to strengthen their families and communities.
Recognizing that the hope we have in Christ is lived out in our hope for one another, we respond with gifts that help our siblings around the world find the hope for a better future.
Union Church’s Palm Sunday worship service uses fair trade palms purchased from Eco-Palms. Eco-Palms is committed to the issues of justice and environmental stewardship. Each palm plant produces 2-5 harvestable fronds over a 2 to 4 month period. At least a quarter of farmers in the Central area of Guatemala earn additional income from harvesting fronds; and more than a quarter of households support themselves exclusively by collecting fronds. Eco-Palms protect income to forest communities and preserve trees which are needed for shade through sustainable harvest programs. Of the $4.5 million per year spent on palms, those purchased by Union Church are but a small number, but they confirm our commitment to justice in any way possible.
Sing Hallelujah! On Easter morning, (April 20), it’s a wonderful Union Church tradition for all those who’d like to, to come up to the choir loft and join in singing the Hallelujah Chorus.
Lilies to beautify the sanctuary! Order an Easter Lily to beautify the sanctuary for the Easter season! We’ll pick them up and keep them watered. You may dedicate your lily in honor or memory of loved ones. Pls order by noon Wednesday, April 16, for inclusion in the Easter bulletin. Click here!
About Sunday Compline Service: The Sabbath Compline at 6:30 pm in Cowan Chapel is a night prayer of psalm, silence, and song — a creative hush with God at the end of the day at the beginning of the week.
Mission & Service Board has established a social justice committee with the intent of facilitating our witness in a rapidly changing world. Anyone & everyone is welcome to be a part of the committee, and an initial organizing meeting will be held soon—watch for details!
Know your rights cards and resources – we have business size cards available in the office in English & Spanish to help you , and those around you, know their rights if stopped by ICE!
Community Meals Every Wednesday 5:30pm-6:30pm: “Open Table” is a “pay what you can” ($0-$$) catered meal open to anyone. Chef Deb Beishline and a wonderful crew of volunteers prepare the menu each week always with GF and Vegetarian-friendly options (other needs can be accommodated on request!). Our hope is to remember the gifts of connection with great food the chance to “rub elbows” with neighbors. The food is great, the company is better, the hungry are fed, and we pray the love Jesus will be shown!
April 16 Menu:
· Baked Ziti
· Roasted Vegetables
· Optional Gluten and GF Pasta
· Salad
· Bread and Butter
· Chocolate Mousse
Town Hall Meeting April 29, 6-8 pm at Acton Folk Center. Our 6th District Rep. Andy Barr has been invited. Come share how federal actions are affecting YOU and your family.
Name tags. We’ve gotten behind on making our reusable lanyard nametags. Would you like one? Let us know in the office.
IDEA! Union Church’s 175th anniversary is coming up in a couple of years (‘28). Would anyone be interested in exploring the notion of creating a bound yearbook of photos?
Mending Services needed. Do we have anyone in the congregation who’s willing and able to provide some mending services (for pay)? Let us know in the office and we’ll make the connection.
Holy Week
Our Palm Sunday Worship Service recalls Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. In our worship service we include a procession of the faithful carrying palms, representing the cloaks and small branches of trees the celebrating people scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem. According to the Gospels, Jesus Christ rode a donkey into Jerusalem, and the people sang part of Psalm 118 … Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord….
Maundy Thursday, April 17, 7:30 pm service in the sanctuary. Our service will begin with hand and foot washing at 7:00 pm (for those who wish).
“Maundy” comes from the Latin “mandatum,” meaning “command-ment.” On this night when Jesus met with his disciples for his last supper, he gave them a new commandment, “that you love one another.” During this special service we will share communion and recount the story of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, and darken the sanctuary, as we retell the story of his crucifixion.
Saturday, April 19, 9 am – noon. Help spruce up and clean up in the sanctuary and around the building and grounds. Plenty of coffee provided!
Easter Sunday, April 20
6:30 am. Sunrise Service, White’s Memorial Presbyterian Church; 401 White Station Rd. All are welcome to this early morning celebration of Easter Morning as the sun rises. Let’s share worship, song, and prayer with all our neighbors. Light breakfast served afterwards.
10:00 am Easter Activities for kids, beginning in Cowan Chapel and moving on to the Easter Egg Hunt!
10:30 am Celebration of the Resurrection! Join to recall the joy and hope of that first Easter Morning, and to renew yourself by recalling that God’s love is not reserved in that long-ago time. This is a lovely time to invite guests, new neighbors, and any who’ve ever wondered what Union Church is about!
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