Theme for 2023: Faith Forward – The Year of Extraordinary Faith!
Does anybody love a good parade? I have been watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since I was a child. It’s so much fun! And I remember going to a local parade, the Annie Malone Parade, as a child. My dad would lift me up on his shoulders so that I could see over the crowd. What an exciting time it was. I felt like I was on top of the world!
Some parades take a whole year to prepare the floats, costumes, and routines. People make plans to come way ahead of time. Some get there early to stake out the best spot. Anticipation and excitement fill the air because something good is coming. They wave to the floats, the marching bands, and the grand marshal as they go by. It’s quite a time!
Another thing about parades is that they follow a particular route that is laid out for them. They have a certain way to go to get to their final destination. People show up all along the way to get a glimpse of the parade.
Two thousand years ago or so, there was another parade of sorts described in all four gospel accounts in the Bible. Crowds lined the road. Some may have gotten there early to get a good spot, and some may have heard about it and dropped what they were doing to come. This parade was three and a half years in the making. Anticipation and excitement were in the air because something good was coming!
And there was a certain route for this parade too. The disciples went a certain way to find just the colt that Jesus wanted.
“Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden;
untie it and bring it.”
Mark 11:2
Many people spread their cloaks and leafy branches on the road, along the way. Some people went ahead and others followed Jesus on the way, shouting:
“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Mark 11:9
Everyone was headed on the way. But was it the right way? Sometimes in our own lives the way seems a little fuzzy. Should I change jobs, move to another city, get married? There are so many paths we could take. But which one is the right one – THE way?
The disciple Thomas once asked Jesus how one can know the way. Hear Jesus’ response:
Jesus said to him, “I AM the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6
When you don’t know the way, it helps to look to the One who IS the Way! Join us for worship this Sunday, as we celebrate Palm Sunday with the message: I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You can worship in-person or you can also join us online at 10:00am. For online worship go to www.umcgt.org.
Easter Egg Hunt Do you know how you can help your church to grow? Come to the Easter Egg Hunt! Not to find candy-filled eggs, but to meet new friends from the community who will be here with their wide-eyed kiddos ready to have some fun! Come on out and greet our neighbors, tell them how much fun it is to be part of Green Trails Church, tell them about our wonderful children’s and youth ministries, and who knows – you may make a new friend to sit by on Sundays! April 1, from 10am-Noon.
Holy Week Observances:
Maundy Thursday, April 6, we will celebrate at Union Memorial, 1141 Belt Ave., 6:30 pm. Pastor Antonio Settles will do a Last Supper interactive presentation and there will be foot washing for those who would like to.
Good Friday, April 7, the 7 Last Words of Jesus from the Cross will be at Green Trails Church, at Noon. This year we will be blessed to hear 7 Words from 7 women!
Stay in the Know! Did you know that we have printed copies of the e-newsletter and our church calendar? They’re on the tables at the coffee station and the at the Welcome Center. Did you know that you can see the activities going on at church on our website’s church calendar? Here’s the link: Church Calendar. And did you know that before and after service we have announcement slides that also highlight the goings on at Green Trails? Just our way of helping you to stay in the know!
Fellowship & Goodies! Hopefully you’re enjoying the after church fellowship of coffee, cookies, and Bridge Bread treats! Purchasing Bridge Bread is a wonderful way to support the unhoused with a trade and income! Note – we will take a break on Easter Sunday.
“I do not cease to give thanks for you as
I remember you in my prayers…”
Ephesians 1:16
Blessings,
Pastor Linda
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