Greetings!
HOLY WEEK The season of Lent gives way to the celebration of Easter in Holy Week–the most sacred period of the liturgical calendar. Holy Week includes both the church’s most solemn observances and joyous celebrations. Unique, beautiful liturgies fill the period of time that begins on Palm Sunday and culminates with Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week, which is the week before Easter, commemorating events in the last days of Jesus Christ’s life. According to Christian belief, Jesus rode into Jerusalem where people gave him a hero’s welcome during the Jewish Passover celebration. They heard about his miracles and regarded him as the leader who would deliver them from the Roman Empire’s domination. They carried palm branches, which is a traditional symbol of victory, and spread them throughout the streets before him.
Many western churches have observed palm blessings and distributions to the congregation on Palm Sunday since the Middle Ages. Early references to Palm Sunday observations, including a procession and blessing of palms, go as far back as the fourth and eighth centuries. Many modern Christian churches, including the Catholic and eastern churches, as well as the Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches celebrate Palm Sunday as an important part of Holy Week. The palm branch is traditionally a symbol of joy and victory. It is a sign of victory over the flesh and the world in Christianity.
On Maundy Thursday, Pastor Will Pinos will share a slide presentation highlighting his recent trip to Israel. There will be acoustic worship music and Holy Communion. On Good Friday we will have a traditional service at 7 PM to commemorate Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. On Easter Sunday, a Sunrise Service will be held at the Blue Spruce Park lakeside pavilion. The morning culminates with worship services at 9 and 11 AM. We hope you can join us for each of the Holy Week worship experiences.
Our Lenten Sermon Series is Giving Up Toxicity. The message this Sunday is Giving Up Negativity. The scripture text is from Philippians 4:8-9. The Easter Sunday sermon title is There’s Always Tomorrow.
MEMBERSHIP CLASSES
If you are interested in becoming a member of Grace Church, please fill out a Connect Card or call the church office at 724-463-8535. Classes will be held from April 16th through May 7th at 10:10 AM in Room 101. Individuals will be received full membership on Sunday, May 21.
There will not be a WEDNESDAY DINNER during Holy Week.
We hope to see you all back on April 12th.
PENTECOST PLAY: Please be sure to sign up in the Welcome Center or online to participate in the upcoming Musical-Play about Pentecost called Heaven Came Down. It’s not too late to be a part of the team. We are still in need of a few more actors. Actors, singers, and backstage helpers are needed. The performance dates have been changed to Friday and Saturday, May 19th and 20th. This is a great opportunity for us to reach members of our community who may not otherwise be in church.
EASTER FLOWERS
Memorialize or honor a loved one Easter with a flowering spring plant for a minimum donation of $15 or by making a monetary donation to the Missions Trailer Fund. (The utility trailer is used to haul materials, tools, and luggage to local, regional, and national mission sites.) Please be sure to write Easter Flowers or Mission Trailer on your check’s memo line or offering envelope. The form and payment may be submitted with the Sunday offering, dropped off at the church office, or mailed to Grace Church, 712 Church Street, Indiana, PA 15701. The DEADLINE for orders is Monday, April 3rd.
Prayer Changes Things! Join us for an hour of prayer on Tuesdays at 3:15 PM in the Prayer Room.
The Great Easter Egg Hunt is this Saturday, April 1st, from 9:00-10:30 AM in the Church Courtyard. We are accepting donations of candy, and we will be filling the eggs on March 30th from 6:00-8:00 PM. You may drop off your candy donation in the basket in the Mission Hall near the elevator.
The Feed the Flock ministry needs more volunteers! If you enjoy cooking and could provide an occasional meal for an individual or family in our congregation, please contact Sue Stitt: sstitt12@comcast.net or 724-549-3481. This is a wonderful opportunity to be a blessing to others!
Spring cleaning? Set aside your Book, CD, DVD, and Puzzle donations now for Grace Church’s Used Book Sale June 9 and 10 in the Fellowship Hall. **Please do not drop off at the church yet.** Drop off dates will be announced in May. 100% of proceeds benefit children’s camperships. Contact Barb Wagner, Shanda Tomer, or the church office with any questions.
Senior Adult Ministry: A senior trip is planned for June 1st to see the Mountain Playhouse comedy, Nunsense at the Pasquerilla Arts Center in Johnstown. We will depart from Mack Park at 10:30 a.m., have lunch (Dutch Treat) and see the show at 2:00. Tickets will be ordered as we receive your payments (nonrefundable after May 14). Drop checks in the offering plate or box, mail to Grace Church at 712 Church Street, Indiana, PA, or place them in the drop box at the church office door. The deadline to submit checks is Sunday, May 14.
Drug & Alcohol Recovery Grant Announcement
The Grace Church Endowment Committee has funding from the McCullough Endowment Fund available for programs aiding those who are seeking drug and alcohol dependency recovery. Preference is given to Indiana County faith-based programs. Drug & Alcohol Recovery Grant Applications are available in the Church Office, Welcome Center, or online: https://www.indianagrace.org/resources/.
Deadline for 2023 grant applications is April 28, 2023.
GRACE YOUTH:
Youth will meet this Sunday from 6:45 to 8 PM in the Grace Growth Center Youth Room (2nd floor). The doors open at 6:30.
If you are interested in learning more about the Holy Land Trip with Revs. John and Patsy Ciampa, please plan to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, April 27 at 6:30 PM in Room 101.
BOY SCOUTS:
We are privileged to sponsor Boy Scout Troop 1011. The scouts are working hard to do fundraising in support of their projects and activities. You can help by ordering Marianna’s Hoagies and/or Pizzas. See the sign-up sheets in the Welcome Center. Checks may be made payable to Boy Scout Troop 1011 and placed in the envelope found with the signup sheets.
Additionally, the Scouts will be holding a Pancake Breakfast in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, April 23 from 8 AM until 1 PM. Plan to enjoy your breakfast here either before or after church services. The scouts and adult leaders will be cooking, serving, and cleaning up. Your support will be greatly appreciated.
Looking ahead:
Women’s Mission Weekend! Heather and Tabitha from UNTO Ministries are coming Saturday, April 29, and Sunday, April 30th from 1-4 PM both days. We will be cutting, tracing, and sewing LuoPads for Humanitarian Aid across the world.
These items are needed prior to the weekend and can be left in a basket in the Mission Hall beginning next Sunday:
- terry cloth towels (bath towels, hand towels, or even dish towels),
- flannel (make sure it’s absorbent – you can test it by putting some droplets of
water on the fabric).On the day of this in-house mission, please bring with you:
- sewing machine (if that is your talent!), OR
- sharpie markers for tracing and scissors for cutting fabric.
Sign-up sheets are in the Welcome Center! If you have any questions, contact Pastor Kathy or Donna Overdorff.
OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT – Friday, May 5, at 8:30 PM. Enjoy popcorn in your pajamas for a showing of Finding Nemo under the stars in the church courtyard. BYOB: Bring Your Own Blanket — or a lawn chair if you prefer. Pick your favorite viewing spot starting at 8 p.m. This FREE event is being put on by the Grace Life Team.
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER: Grace Church will hold a special prayer service at 7 p.m. on May 4th. Local radio host, Todd Marino, will be our featured speaker for the service. Plan now to join us and to invite members of the community.
Just for Laughs:
LETTERS TO GOD…From kids
- Dear God: Did You really mean “do unto others as they do unto you?” Because if you did then I’m really gonna fix my brother!”
- Hey God: Are you really invisible or is that just a trick?
- Dear God: Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?
- God…who draws the lines around all the countries?
- You know what, God? Maybe Cain and Abel would not hate each other so much if they had their own rooms It works for me and my brother.
- Dear God, I bet it is very hard for You to love all of everybody in the whole wide world. There are only four people in my family, and I can never do it!
- Dear God. My big brother told me about getting born, but it doesn’t sound right. He’s just kidding, isn’t he?
