This week, we'll enter Holy Week with a parade led by Jesus, riding a humble donkey. We get to call out "Hosanna," which means "Save us."
It's a strange thing to ask someone riding a humble donkey. That strangeness is at the very heart of the mystery of God: our savior's greatest power is shown in humility.
Our scriptures remind us of this, over and over, but sometimes I still struggle to absorb this wild message. Paul describes it like this is Philippians 2:5-11:
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This Sunday, and every day, we are invited to be like Christ Jesus. We get to be the community of people who follow those humble footsteps, claiming a glory that comes through a self-emptying offering of love.
May it be so.
grace and peace,
Pastor Molly
Be sure to be at church at 10am for our Donkey Parade on Sunday! If you're there early (starting at 9:30) you can take your photo with the donkey. At 10, we'll head into the sanctuary, singing "Hosanna!" Our kids will help lead us with music from Jesus Christ Superstar--they'll stay up front for a conversation with Pastor Molly and the donkey. All this happens before 10:30 worship starts! After the donkey exits, we'll have a chance to re-set ourselves for a stirring Passion Sunday service, including Holy Communion.
Sunday, March 18:
Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday
Donkey Parade at 10am!
Rev. Molly Vetter, preaching
Reading of the Passion Story: Mark 14-15
Mark 14-15
14:1 It was now two days before Pesach (that is, the festival of Matzah), and the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers were trying to find some way to arrest Yeshua surreptitiously and have him put to death; 2 for they said, “Not during the festival, or the people will riot.”
3 While he was in Beit-Anyah in the home of Shim‘on (a man who had had tzara‘at), and as he was eating, a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfume, pure oil of nard, very costly. She broke the jar and poured the perfume over Yeshua’s head. 4 But some there angrily said to themselves, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for a year’s wages and given to the poor!” And they scolded her. 6 But he said, “Let her be. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me. 7 For you will always have the poor with you; and whenever you want to, you can help them. But you will not always have me. 8 What she could do, she did do — in advance she poured perfume on my body to prepare it for burial. 9 Yes! I tell you that wherever in the whole world this Good News is proclaimed, what she has done will be told in her memory.”
10 Then Y’hudah from K’riot, who was one of the Twelve, went to the head cohanim in order to betray Yeshua to them. 11 They were pleased to hear this and promised to give him money. And he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Yeshua.
12 On the first day for matzah, when they slaughtered the lamb for Pesach, Yeshua’s talmidim asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare your Seder?” 13 He sent two of his talmidim with these instructions: “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him; 14 and whichever house he enters, tell him that the Rabbi says, ‘Where is the guest room for me, where I am to eat the Pesach meal with my talmidim?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations there.” 16 The talmidim went off, came to the city and found things just as he had told them they would be; and they prepared the Seder.
17 When evening came, Yeshua arrived with the Twelve. 18 As they were reclining and eating, Yeshua said, “Yes! I tell you that one of you is going to betray me.” 19 They became upset and began asking him, one after the other, “You don’t mean me, do you?” 20 “It’s one of the Twelve,” he said to them, “someone dipping matzah in the dish with me. 21 For the Son of Man will die, just as the Tanakh says he will; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him had he never been born!”
22 While they were eating, Yeshua took a piece of matzah, made the b’rakhah, broke it, gave it to them and said, “Take it! This is my body.” 23 Also he took a cup of wine, made the b’rakhah, and gave it to them; and they all drank. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood, which ratifies the New Covenant, my blood shed on behalf of many people. 25 Yes! I tell you, I will not drink this ‘fruit of the vine’ again until the day I drink new wine in the Kingdom of God.”
26 After singing the Hallel, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 Yeshua said to them, “You will all lose faith in me, for the Tanakh says,
‘I will strike the shepherd dead,
and the sheep will be scattered.’[Mark 14:27 Zechariah 13:7]
28 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you into the Galil.” 29 Kefa said to him, “Even if everyone else loses faith in you, I won’t.” 30 Yeshua replied, “Yes! I tell you that this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will disown me three times!” 31 But Kefa kept insisting, “Even if I must die with you, I will never disown you!” And they all said the same thing.
32 They went to a place called Gat Sh’manim; and Yeshua said to his talmidim, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took with him Kefa, Ya‘akov and Yochanan. Great distress and anguish came over him; 34 and he said to them, “My heart is so filled with sadness that I could die! Remain here and stay awake.” 35 Going on a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that if possible, the hour might pass from him: 36 “Abba!” (that is, “Dear Father!”) “All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me! Still, not what I want, but what you want.” 37 He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Kefa, “Shim‘on, are you asleep? Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake, and pray that you will not be put to the test — the spirit indeed is eager, but human nature is weak.”
39 Again he went away and prayed, saying the same words; 40 and again he came and found them sleeping, their eyes were so very heavy; and they didn’t know what to answer him.
41 The third time, he came and said to them, “For now, go on sleeping, take your rest. . . .There, that’s enough! The time has come! Look! The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners! 42 Get up! Let’s go! Here comes my betrayer!”
43 While Yeshua was still speaking, Y’hudah (one of the Twelve!) came, and with him a crowd carrying swords and clubs, from the head cohanim, the Torah-teachers and the elders. 44 The betrayer had arranged to give them a signal: “The man I kiss is the one you want. Grab him, and take him away under guard.” 45 As he arrived, he went right up to Yeshua, said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 Then they laid hold of Yeshua and arrested him; 47 but one of the people standing nearby drew his sword and struck at the servant of the cohen hagadol, cutting off his ear.
48 Yeshua addressed them: “So you came out to take me with swords and clubs, the way you would the leader of a rebellion? 49 Every day I was with you in the Temple court, teaching, and you didn’t seize me then! But let the Tanakh be fulfilled.” 50 And they all deserted him and ran away. 51 There was one young man who did try to follow him; but he was wearing only a nightshirt; and when they tried to seize him, 52 he slipped out of the nightshirt and ran away naked.
53 They led Yeshua to the cohen hagadol, with whom all the head cohanim, elders and Torah-teachers were assembling. 54 Kefa followed him at a distance right into the courtyard of the cohen hagadol, where he sat down with the guards and warmed himself by the fire.
55 The head cohanim and the whole Sanhedrin tried to find evidence against Yeshua, so that they might have him put to death, but they couldn’t find any. 56 For many people gave false evidence against him, but their testimonies didn’t agree. 57 Some stood up and gave this false testimony: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with hands; and in three days I will build another one, not made with hands.’” 59 Even so, their testimonies didn’t agree.
60 The cohen hagadol stood up in the front and asked Yeshua, “Have you nothing to say to the accusations these men are making?” 61 But he remained silent and made no reply. Again the cohen hagadol questioned him: “Are you the Mashiach, Ben-HaM’vorakh?” 62 “I AM,” answered Yeshua. “Moreover, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of HaG’vurah and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[Mark 14:62 Daniel 7:13; Psalm 110:1] 63 At this, the cohen hagadol tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? 64 You heard him blaspheme! What is your decision?” And they all declared him guilty and subject to the death penalty.
65 Then some began spitting at him; and after blindfolding him, they started pounding him with their fists and saying to him, “Let’s see you prophesy!” And as the guards took him, they beat him too.
66 Meanwhile, Kefa was still in the courtyard below. One of the serving-girls of the cohen hagadol 67 saw Kefa warming himself, took a look at him, and said, “You were with the man from Natzeret, Yeshua!” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about!” He went outside into the entryway, and a rooster crowed. 69 The girl saw him there and started telling the bystanders, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. A little later, the bystanders themselves said to Kefa, “You must be one of them, because you’re from the Galil.” 71 At this he began to invoke a curse on himself as he swore, “I do not know this man you are telling me about!” — 72 and immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Then Kefa remembered what Yeshua had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will disown me three times.” And throwing himself down, he burst into tears.
15:1 As soon as it was morning, the head cohanim held a council meeting with the elders, the Torah-teachers and the whole Sanhedrin. Then they put Yeshua in chains, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 Pilate put this question to him: “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “The words are yours.” 3 The head cohanim too made accusations against him, 4 and Pilate again inquired of him, “Aren’t you going to answer? Look how many charges they are making against you!” 5 But Yeshua made no further response, to Pilate’s amazement.
6 Now during a festival, Pilate used to set free one prisoner, whomever the crowd requested. 7 There was in prison among the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection a man called Bar-Abba. 8 When the crowd came up and began asking Pilate to do for them what he usually did, 9 he asked them, “Do you want me to set free for you the ‘King of the Jews’?” 10 For it was evident to him that it was out of jealousy that the head cohanim had handed him over. 11 But the head cohanim stirred up the crowd to have him release Bar-Abba for them instead. 12 Pilate again said to them, “Then what should I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 They shouted back, “Put him to death on the stake!” 14 He asked, “Why? What crime has he committed?” But they only shouted louder, “Put him to death on the stake!” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the mob, set Bar-Abba free for them; but he had Yeshua whipped and then handed him over to be executed on the stake.
16 The soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the headquarters building) and called together the whole battalion. 17 They dressed him in purple and wove thorn branches into a crown, which they put on him. 18 Then they began to salute him, “Hail to the King of the Jews!” 19 They hit him on the head with a stick, spat on him and kneeled in mock worship of him. 20 When they had finished ridiculing him, they took off the purple robe, put his own clothes back on him and led him away to be nailed to the execution-stake.
21 A certain man from Cyrene, Shim‘on, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country; and they forced him to carry the stake. 22 They brought Yeshua to a place called Gulgolta (which means “place of a skull”), 23 and they gave him wine spiced with myrrh, but he didn’t take it. 24 Then they nailed him to the execution-stake; and they divided his clothes among themselves, throwing dice to determine what each man should get. 25 It was nine in the morning when they nailed him to the stake. 26 Over his head, the written notice of the charge against him read,
THE KING OF THE JEWS
27 On execution-stakes with him they placed two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 28 [Mark 15:28 Some manuscripts include verse 15:28: And the passage from the Tanakh was fulfilled which says, “He was counted with transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12)] 29 People passing by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! So you can destroy the Temple, can you, and rebuild it in three days? 30 Save yourself and come down from the stake!” 31 Likewise, the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers made fun of him, saying to each other, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself!” 32 and, “So he’s the Messiah, is he? The King of Isra’el? Let him come down now from the stake! If we see that, then we’ll believe him!” Even the men nailed up with him insulted him.
33 At noon, darkness covered the whole Land until three o’clock in the afternoon. 34 At three, he uttered a loud cry, “Elohi! Elohi! L’mah sh’vaktani?” (which means, “My God! My God! Why have you deserted me?”)[Mark 15:34 Psalm 22:2(1)] 35 On hearing this, some of the bystanders said, “Look! He’s calling for Eliyahu!” 36 One ran and soaked a sponge in vinegar, put it on a stick and gave it to him to drink.[Mark 15:36 Psalm 69:22(21)]“Wait!” he said, “Let’s see if Eliyahu will come and take him down.” 37 But Yeshua let out a loud cry and gave up his spirit. 38 And the parokhet in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw the way he gave up his spirit, he said, “This man really was a son of God!”
14:1 It was now two days before Pesach (that is, the festival of Matzah), and the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers were trying to find some way to arrest Yeshua surreptitiously and have him put to death; 2 for they said, “Not during the festival, or the people will riot.”
3 While he was in Beit-Anyah in the home of Shim‘on (a man who had had tzara‘at), and as he was eating, a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfume, pure oil of nard, very costly. She broke the jar and poured the perfume over Yeshua’s head. 4 But some there angrily said to themselves, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for a year’s wages and given to the poor!” And they scolded her. 6 But he said, “Let her be. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me. 7 For you will always have the poor with you; and whenever you want to, you can help them. But you will not always have me. 8 What she could do, she did do — in advance she poured perfume on my body to prepare it for burial. 9 Yes! I tell you that wherever in the whole world this Good News is proclaimed, what she has done will be told in her memory.”
10 Then Y’hudah from K’riot, who was one of the Twelve, went to the head cohanim in order to betray Yeshua to them. 11 They were pleased to hear this and promised to give him money. And he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Yeshua.
12 On the first day for matzah, when they slaughtered the lamb for Pesach, Yeshua’s talmidim asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare your Seder?” 13 He sent two of his talmidim with these instructions: “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him; 14 and whichever house he enters, tell him that the Rabbi says, ‘Where is the guest room for me, where I am to eat the Pesach meal with my talmidim?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations there.” 16 The talmidim went off, came to the city and found things just as he had told them they would be; and they prepared the Seder.
17 When evening came, Yeshua arrived with the Twelve. 18 As they were reclining and eating, Yeshua said, “Yes! I tell you that one of you is going to betray me.” 19 They became upset and began asking him, one after the other, “You don’t mean me, do you?” 20 “It’s one of the Twelve,” he said to them, “someone dipping matzah in the dish with me. 21 For the Son of Man will die, just as the Tanakh says he will; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him had he never been born!”
22 While they were eating, Yeshua took a piece of matzah, made the b’rakhah, broke it, gave it to them and said, “Take it! This is my body.” 23 Also he took a cup of wine, made the b’rakhah, and gave it to them; and they all drank. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood, which ratifies the New Covenant, my blood shed on behalf of many people. 25 Yes! I tell you, I will not drink this ‘fruit of the vine’ again until the day I drink new wine in the Kingdom of God.”
26 After singing the Hallel, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 Yeshua said to them, “You will all lose faith in me, for the Tanakh says,
‘I will strike the shepherd dead,
and the sheep will be scattered.’[Mark 14:27 Zechariah 13:7]
28 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you into the Galil.” 29 Kefa said to him, “Even if everyone else loses faith in you, I won’t.” 30 Yeshua replied, “Yes! I tell you that this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will disown me three times!” 31 But Kefa kept insisting, “Even if I must die with you, I will never disown you!” And they all said the same thing.
32 They went to a place called Gat Sh’manim; and Yeshua said to his talmidim, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took with him Kefa, Ya‘akov and Yochanan. Great distress and anguish came over him; 34 and he said to them, “My heart is so filled with sadness that I could die! Remain here and stay awake.” 35 Going on a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that if possible, the hour might pass from him: 36 “Abba!” (that is, “Dear Father!”) “All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me! Still, not what I want, but what you want.” 37 He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Kefa, “Shim‘on, are you asleep? Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake, and pray that you will not be put to the test — the spirit indeed is eager, but human nature is weak.”
39 Again he went away and prayed, saying the same words; 40 and again he came and found them sleeping, their eyes were so very heavy; and they didn’t know what to answer him.
41 The third time, he came and said to them, “For now, go on sleeping, take your rest. . . .There, that’s enough! The time has come! Look! The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners! 42 Get up! Let’s go! Here comes my betrayer!”
43 While Yeshua was still speaking, Y’hudah (one of the Twelve!) came, and with him a crowd carrying swords and clubs, from the head cohanim, the Torah-teachers and the elders. 44 The betrayer had arranged to give them a signal: “The man I kiss is the one you want. Grab him, and take him away under guard.” 45 As he arrived, he went right up to Yeshua, said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 Then they laid hold of Yeshua and arrested him; 47 but one of the people standing nearby drew his sword and struck at the servant of the cohen hagadol, cutting off his ear.
48 Yeshua addressed them: “So you came out to take me with swords and clubs, the way you would the leader of a rebellion? 49 Every day I was with you in the Temple court, teaching, and you didn’t seize me then! But let the Tanakh be fulfilled.” 50 And they all deserted him and ran away. 51 There was one young man who did try to follow him; but he was wearing only a nightshirt; and when they tried to seize him, 52 he slipped out of the nightshirt and ran away naked.
53 They led Yeshua to the cohen hagadol, with whom all the head cohanim, elders and Torah-teachers were assembling. 54 Kefa followed him at a distance right into the courtyard of the cohen hagadol, where he sat down with the guards and warmed himself by the fire.
55 The head cohanim and the whole Sanhedrin tried to find evidence against Yeshua, so that they might have him put to death, but they couldn’t find any. 56 For many people gave false evidence against him, but their testimonies didn’t agree. 57 Some stood up and gave this false testimony: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with hands; and in three days I will build another one, not made with hands.’” 59 Even so, their testimonies didn’t agree.
60 The cohen hagadol stood up in the front and asked Yeshua, “Have you nothing to say to the accusations these men are making?” 61 But he remained silent and made no reply. Again the cohen hagadol questioned him: “Are you the Mashiach, Ben-HaM’vorakh?” 62 “I AM,” answered Yeshua. “Moreover, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of HaG’vurah and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[Mark 14:62 Daniel 7:13; Psalm 110:1] 63 At this, the cohen hagadol tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? 64 You heard him blaspheme! What is your decision?” And they all declared him guilty and subject to the death penalty.
65 Then some began spitting at him; and after blindfolding him, they started pounding him with their fists and saying to him, “Let’s see you prophesy!” And as the guards took him, they beat him too.
66 Meanwhile, Kefa was still in the courtyard below. One of the serving-girls of the cohen hagadol 67 saw Kefa warming himself, took a look at him, and said, “You were with the man from Natzeret, Yeshua!” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about!” He went outside into the entryway, and a rooster crowed. 69 The girl saw him there and started telling the bystanders, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. A little later, the bystanders themselves said to Kefa, “You must be one of them, because you’re from the Galil.” 71 At this he began to invoke a curse on himself as he swore, “I do not know this man you are telling me about!” — 72 and immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Then Kefa remembered what Yeshua had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will disown me three times.” And throwing himself down, he burst into tears.
15:1 As soon as it was morning, the head cohanim held a council meeting with the elders, the Torah-teachers and the whole Sanhedrin. Then they put Yeshua in chains, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 Pilate put this question to him: “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “The words are yours.” 3 The head cohanim too made accusations against him, 4 and Pilate again inquired of him, “Aren’t you going to answer? Look how many charges they are making against you!” 5 But Yeshua made no further response, to Pilate’s amazement.
6 Now during a festival, Pilate used to set free one prisoner, whomever the crowd requested. 7 There was in prison among the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection a man called Bar-Abba. 8 When the crowd came up and began asking Pilate to do for them what he usually did, 9 he asked them, “Do you want me to set free for you the ‘King of the Jews’?” 10 For it was evident to him that it was out of jealousy that the head cohanim had handed him over. 11 But the head cohanim stirred up the crowd to have him release Bar-Abba for them instead. 12 Pilate again said to them, “Then what should I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 They shouted back, “Put him to death on the stake!” 14 He asked, “Why? What crime has he committed?” But they only shouted louder, “Put him to death on the stake!” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the mob, set Bar-Abba free for them; but he had Yeshua whipped and then handed him over to be executed on the stake.
16 The soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the headquarters building) and called together the whole battalion. 17 They dressed him in purple and wove thorn branches into a crown, which they put on him. 18 Then they began to salute him, “Hail to the King of the Jews!” 19 They hit him on the head with a stick, spat on him and kneeled in mock worship of him. 20 When they had finished ridiculing him, they took off the purple robe, put his own clothes back on him and led him away to be nailed to the execution-stake.
21 A certain man from Cyrene, Shim‘on, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country; and they forced him to carry the stake. 22 They brought Yeshua to a place called Gulgolta (which means “place of a skull”), 23 and they gave him wine spiced with myrrh, but he didn’t take it. 24 Then they nailed him to the execution-stake; and they divided his clothes among themselves, throwing dice to determine what each man should get. 25 It was nine in the morning when they nailed him to the stake. 26 Over his head, the written notice of the charge against him read,
THE KING OF THE JEWS
27 On execution-stakes with him they placed two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 28 [Mark 15:28 Some manuscripts include verse 15:28: And the passage from the Tanakh was fulfilled which says, “He was counted with transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12)] 29 People passing by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! So you can destroy the Temple, can you, and rebuild it in three days? 30 Save yourself and come down from the stake!” 31 Likewise, the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers made fun of him, saying to each other, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself!” 32 and, “So he’s the Messiah, is he? The King of Isra’el? Let him come down now from the stake! If we see that, then we’ll believe him!” Even the men nailed up with him insulted him.
33 At noon, darkness covered the whole Land until three o’clock in the afternoon. 34 At three, he uttered a loud cry, “Elohi! Elohi! L’mah sh’vaktani?” (which means, “My God! My God! Why have you deserted me?”)[Mark 15:34 Psalm 22:2(1)] 35 On hearing this, some of the bystanders said, “Look! He’s calling for Eliyahu!” 36 One ran and soaked a sponge in vinegar, put it on a stick and gave it to him to drink.[Mark 15:36 Psalm 69:22(21)]“Wait!” he said, “Let’s see if Eliyahu will come and take him down.” 37 But Yeshua let out a loud cry and gave up his spirit. 38 And the parokhet in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw the way he gave up his spirit, he said, “This man really was a son of God!”
40 There were women looking on from a distance; among them were Miryam from Magdala, Miryam the mother of the younger Ya‘akov and of Yosi, and Shlomit. 41 These women had followed him and helped him when he was in the Galil. And many other women were there who had come up with him to Yerushalayim.
42 Since it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before a Shabbat), as evening approached, 43 Yosef of Ramatayim, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who himself was also looking forward to the Kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Yeshua’s body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead, so he summoned the officer and asked him if he had been dead awhile. 45 After he had gotten confirmation from the officer that Yeshua was dead, he granted Yosef the corpse. 46 Yosef purchased a linen sheet; and after taking Yeshua down, he wrapped him in the linen sheet, laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. 47 Miryam of Magdala and Miryam the mother of Yosi saw where he had been laid. (Complete Jewish Bible)
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes
Verse 3
[3] And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
Matthew 26:6.
Verse 4
[4] And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
Some had indignation — Being incited thereto by Judas: and said - Probably to the women.
Verse 10
[10] And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
Judas went to the chief priests — Immediately after this reproof, having anger now added to his covetousness. Matthew 26:14; Luke 22:3.
Verse 12
[12] And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?
Matthew 26:17; Luke 22:7.
Verse 13
[13] And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.
Go into the city, and there shall meet you a man — It was highly seasonable for our Lord to give them this additional proof both of his knowing all things, and of his influence over the minds of men.
Verse 15
[15] And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
Furnished — The word properly means, spread with carpets.
Verse 17
[17] And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
Matthew 26:20; Luke 22:14.
Verse 24
[24] And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
This is my blood of the New Testament — That is, this I appoint to be a perpetual sign and memorial of my blood, as shed for establishing the new covenant, that all who shall believe in me may receive all its gracious promises.
Verse 25
[25] Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, till I drink it new in the kingdom of God— That is, I shall drink no more before I die: the next wine I drink will not be earthly, but heavenly.
Verse 26
[26] And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Matthew 26:30; Luke 22:39; John 18:1.
Verse 27
[27] And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
This night — The Jews in reckoning their days began with the evening, according to the Mosaic computation, which called the evening and the morning the first day, Genesis 1:5. And so that which after sunset is here called this night is, Mark 14:30, called to-day. The expression there is peculiarly significant. Verily I say to thee, that thou thyself, confident as thou art, to-day, even within four and twenty hours; yea, this night, or ever the sun be risen, nay, before the cock crow twice, before three in the morning, wilt deny me thrice. Our Lord doubtless spoke so determinately, as knowing a cock would crow once before the usual time of cock crowing. By Mark 13:35, it appears, that the third watch of the night, ending at three in the morning, was commonly styled the cock crowing. Zechariah 13:7.
Verse 32
[32] And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
Matthew 26:36.
Verse 33
[33] And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
Sore amazed — The original word imports the most shocking amazement, mingled with grief: and that word in the next verse which we render sorrowful intimates, that he was surrounded with sorrow on every side, breaking in upon him with such violence, as was ready to separate his soul from his body.
Verse 36
[36] And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Abba, Father — St. Mark seems to add the word Father, by way of explication.
Verse 37
[37] And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
Saith to Peter — The zealous, the confident Peter.
Verse 43
[43] And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
Matthew 26:47; Luke 22:47; John 18:2.
Verse 44
[44] And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
Whomsoever I shall kiss — Probably our Lord, in great condescension, had used (according to the Jewish custom) to permit his disciples to do this, after they had been some time absent.
Verse 47
[47] And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
Matthew 26:51; Luke 22:49; John 18:10.
Verse 51
[51] And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
A young man — It does not appear, that he was one of Christ's disciples. Probably hearing an unusual noise, he started up out of his bed, not far from the garden, and ran out with only the sheet about him, to see what was the matter.
And the young men laid hold on him — Who was only suspected to be Christ's disciple: but could not touch them who really were so.
Verse 53
[53] And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
Matthew 26:57; Luke 22:54; John 18:12.
Verse 55
[55] And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
All the council sought for witness and found none — What an amazing proof of the overruling providence of God, considering both their authority, and the rewards they could offer, that no two consistent witnesses could be procured, to charge him with any gross crime. Matthew 26:59.
Verse 56
[56] For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
Their evidences were not sufficient — The Greek words literally rendered are, Were not equal: not equal to the charge of a capital crime: it is the same word in the 59th verse.
Verse 58
[58] We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
We heard him say — It is observable, that the words which they thus misrepresented, were spoken by Christ at least three years before, John 2:19. Their going back so far to find matter for the charge, was a glorious, though silent attestation of the unexceptionable manner wherein he had behaved, through the whole course of his public ministry.
Verse 61
[61] But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
Matthew 26:63; Luke 22:67.
Verse 66
[66] And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
Matthew 26:69; Luke 22:56; John 18:25.
Verse 72
[72] And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
And he covered his head — Which was a usual custom with mourners, and was fitly expressive both of grief and shame.
42 Since it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before a Shabbat), as evening approached, 43 Yosef of Ramatayim, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who himself was also looking forward to the Kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Yeshua’s body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead, so he summoned the officer and asked him if he had been dead awhile. 45 After he had gotten confirmation from the officer that Yeshua was dead, he granted Yosef the corpse. 46 Yosef purchased a linen sheet; and after taking Yeshua down, he wrapped him in the linen sheet, laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. 47 Miryam of Magdala and Miryam the mother of Yosi saw where he had been laid. (Complete Jewish Bible)
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes
Verse 3
[3] And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
Matthew 26:6.
Verse 4
[4] And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
Some had indignation — Being incited thereto by Judas: and said - Probably to the women.
Verse 10
[10] And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
Judas went to the chief priests — Immediately after this reproof, having anger now added to his covetousness. Matthew 26:14; Luke 22:3.
Verse 12
[12] And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?
Matthew 26:17; Luke 22:7.
Verse 13
[13] And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.
Go into the city, and there shall meet you a man — It was highly seasonable for our Lord to give them this additional proof both of his knowing all things, and of his influence over the minds of men.
Verse 15
[15] And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
Furnished — The word properly means, spread with carpets.
Verse 17
[17] And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
Matthew 26:20; Luke 22:14.
Verse 24
[24] And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
This is my blood of the New Testament — That is, this I appoint to be a perpetual sign and memorial of my blood, as shed for establishing the new covenant, that all who shall believe in me may receive all its gracious promises.
Verse 25
[25] Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, till I drink it new in the kingdom of God— That is, I shall drink no more before I die: the next wine I drink will not be earthly, but heavenly.
Verse 26
[26] And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Matthew 26:30; Luke 22:39; John 18:1.
Verse 27
[27] And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
This night — The Jews in reckoning their days began with the evening, according to the Mosaic computation, which called the evening and the morning the first day, Genesis 1:5. And so that which after sunset is here called this night is, Mark 14:30, called to-day. The expression there is peculiarly significant. Verily I say to thee, that thou thyself, confident as thou art, to-day, even within four and twenty hours; yea, this night, or ever the sun be risen, nay, before the cock crow twice, before three in the morning, wilt deny me thrice. Our Lord doubtless spoke so determinately, as knowing a cock would crow once before the usual time of cock crowing. By Mark 13:35, it appears, that the third watch of the night, ending at three in the morning, was commonly styled the cock crowing. Zechariah 13:7.
Verse 32
[32] And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
Matthew 26:36.
Verse 33
[33] And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
Sore amazed — The original word imports the most shocking amazement, mingled with grief: and that word in the next verse which we render sorrowful intimates, that he was surrounded with sorrow on every side, breaking in upon him with such violence, as was ready to separate his soul from his body.
Verse 36
[36] And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Abba, Father — St. Mark seems to add the word Father, by way of explication.
Verse 37
[37] And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
Saith to Peter — The zealous, the confident Peter.
Verse 43
[43] And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
Matthew 26:47; Luke 22:47; John 18:2.
Verse 44
[44] And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
Whomsoever I shall kiss — Probably our Lord, in great condescension, had used (according to the Jewish custom) to permit his disciples to do this, after they had been some time absent.
Verse 47
[47] And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
Matthew 26:51; Luke 22:49; John 18:10.
Verse 51
[51] And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
A young man — It does not appear, that he was one of Christ's disciples. Probably hearing an unusual noise, he started up out of his bed, not far from the garden, and ran out with only the sheet about him, to see what was the matter.
And the young men laid hold on him — Who was only suspected to be Christ's disciple: but could not touch them who really were so.
Verse 53
[53] And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
Matthew 26:57; Luke 22:54; John 18:12.
Verse 55
[55] And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
All the council sought for witness and found none — What an amazing proof of the overruling providence of God, considering both their authority, and the rewards they could offer, that no two consistent witnesses could be procured, to charge him with any gross crime. Matthew 26:59.
Verse 56
[56] For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
Their evidences were not sufficient — The Greek words literally rendered are, Were not equal: not equal to the charge of a capital crime: it is the same word in the 59th verse.
Verse 58
[58] We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
We heard him say — It is observable, that the words which they thus misrepresented, were spoken by Christ at least three years before, John 2:19. Their going back so far to find matter for the charge, was a glorious, though silent attestation of the unexceptionable manner wherein he had behaved, through the whole course of his public ministry.
Verse 61
[61] But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
Matthew 26:63; Luke 22:67.
Verse 66
[66] And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
Matthew 26:69; Luke 22:56; John 18:25.
Verse 72
[72] And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
And he covered his head — Which was a usual custom with mourners, and was fitly expressive both of grief and shame.
hristian
[3] And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
Matthew 27:12.
Verse 7
[7] And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
Insurrection — A crime which the Roman governors, and Pilate in particular, were more especially concerned and careful to punish.
Verse 9
[9] But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
Will ye that I release to you the king of the Jews — Which does this wretched man discover most? Want of justice, or courage, or common sense? The poor coward sacrifices justice to popular clamour, and enrages those whom he seeks to appease, by so unseasonably repeating that title, The king of the Jews, which he could not but know was so highly offensive to them.
Verse 16
[16] And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
Praetorium — The inner hall, where the praetor, a Roman magistrate, used to give judgment. But St. John calls the whole palace by this name. Matthew 27:27; John 19:2.
Verse 17
[17] And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
Purple — As royal robes were usually purple and scarlet, St. Mark and John term this a purple robe, St. Matthew a scarlet one. The Tyrian purple is said not to have been very different from scarlet.
Verse 20
[20] And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
Matthew 27:31; John 19:16.
Verse 21
[21] And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
The father of Alexander and Rufus — These were afterward two eminent Christians, and must have been well known when St. Mark wrote.
Verse 22
[22] And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
Matthew 27:33; Luke 23:33; John 19:17. 24, 25. St. Mark seems to intimate, that they first nailed him to the cross, then parted his garments, and afterward reared up the cross.
Verse 28
[28] And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
Isaiah 53:12.
Verse 29
[29] And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
Matthew 27:39.
Verse 33
[33] And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
Matthew 27:45; Luke 23:44.
Verse 34
[34] And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me — Thereby claiming God as his God; and yet lamenting his Father's withdrawing the tokens of his love, and treating him as an enemy, while he bare our sins.
Verse 37
[37] And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
Matthew 27:50; Luke 23:46; John 19:30.
Verse 41
[41] (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
Who served him — Provided him with necessaries.
Verse 42
[42] And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,
Because it was the day before the Sabbath — And the bodies might not hang on the Sabbath day: therefore they were in haste to have them taken down.
Verse 43
[43] Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
Honourable — A man of character and reputation: A counsellor - A member of the sanhedrim.
Who waited for the kingdom of God — Who expected to see it set up on earth. Matthew 27:57; Luke 23:50; John 19:38.
Verse 46
[46] And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
He rolled a stone — By his servants. It was too large for him to roll himself.
8:30am in Epworth Lounge
10:30am in the Sanctuary
Special Music:
“Come to the Table” by Jack Walker, sung by the Chancel Choir; "Gethsemane" from Jesus Christ Superstar, sung by Chase Matthews; "Crucifixion" by Samuel Barber, sung by Audrey Yoder; "I Believe" by Mark Miller, sung by the Choir
Listen to Sermons online
Visit our Website
News From Our Members
WOW! If you are not aware of Easter Sunday being next week, April 1st, it's because you haven't been attending church, or paying attention to Pastor Molly's announcements, or reading the bulletin and its contents. There's a lot happening right now. This Sunday's Celebration of Jesus' royal entrance into Jerusalem features a donkey leading the procession carrying Jesus and all of us waving palm fronds because it is Palm Sunday, March 25th at 10am. It's a tradition followed for the last several years and eagerly looked forward to by children of all ages as a wonderful beginning for our worship service.
Next week, April 1st, Easter Sunday, we will be serenaded by the sound of a Brass Ensemble announcing the worship service featuring Jesus and his unique resurrection from death as our world is forever changed for the better...
Thursday, March 22, 2018
10:30am in the Sanctuary
Special Music:
“Come to the Table” by Jack Walker, sung by the Chancel Choir; "Gethsemane" from Jesus Christ Superstar, sung by Chase Matthews; "Crucifixion" by Samuel Barber, sung by Audrey Yoder; "I Believe" by Mark Miller, sung by the Choir
Listen to Sermons online
Visit our Website
News From Our Members
Next week, April 1st, Easter Sunday, we will be serenaded by the sound of a Brass Ensemble announcing the worship service featuring Jesus and his unique resurrection from death as our world is forever changed for the better...
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Bob Peterson
Bob Peterson's popular column for the Mainsail has found new life, online! Read his view from the pews about church life and community news. You'll enjoy keeping up with the many good things happening in our congregation!
Thursday, 22 March 2018 by Bob Peterson
WOW! If you are not aware of Easter Sunday being next week, April 1st, it's because you haven't been attending church, or paying attention to Pastor Molly's announcements, or reading the bulletin and its contents. There's a lot happening right now. This Sunday's Celebration of Jesus' royal entrance into Jerusalem features a donkey leading the procession carrying Jesus and all of us waving palm fronds because it is Palm Sunday, March 25th. It's a tradition followed for the last several years and eagerly looked forward to by children of all ages as a wonderful beginning for our 10:30 AM worship service.
Next week, April 1st, Easter Sunday, we will be serenaded by the sound of a Brass Ensemble announcing the worship service featuring Jesus and his unique resurrection from death as our world is forever changed for the better. If you are planning to attend, please come early Easter morning in order to get a parking space either in our church lot or across Torrance Blvd. at the Wells Fargo parking lot which can be used by special permission with our church.
Last week, March 18, we heard Choir member Rick McCandless sing the Prayer Song, "When We Are Living" accompanied by our Worship Band and a special Prayer by Pastor Molly. Rick has been singing these solos for a couple of years and I announce this so you will know who it is up there in front of us, leading the singing so we don't get lost. Rick grew up in this church with parents Dr. Harrison and Barbara McCandless and the rest of his family. Later he married into the John & Alice Kirk Family to Kathy and their children have also sung many times for us. It's been a long tradition for these two families, singing in our church.
Perhaps you like our Choir and its renditions. If so, please attend the Good Friday service March 30 at 7:30 PM and hear the Service of Darkness presentation in preparation of Easter's announcement of the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus.
Click here for more of the Lay Looker
Coming at Church
Our Baja mission team for 2018 will host a taco lunch fundraiser on the Epworth Patio, after 10:30 worship!
Palm Sunday is This Sunday!
Palm Sunday is a special day at church, and this is a great time to invite friends! Click the image to go to our Facebook Event, and use it to invite other people.
Gather for a photo with our donkey starting at 9:30am. At 10am, we will have our donkey lead the Palm Sunday paradeinto our sanctuary! 10:30 worship will continue the story, through the powerful story of Christ's passion.
Good Friday: Service of Darkness
Worship with us on Good Friday, March 30 at 7:30pm, as we remember and contemplate Jesus Christ's crucifixion.
Our choir will sing Dale Wood's "Service of Darkness," which includes seven choral meditations on the last words of Jesus Christ. Interspersed with scripture readings of these words that Jesus spoke from the cross, the service will provide a prayerful and meditative space on this holy day.
All ages are welcome in worship; the nursery will be open for young children, too.
Celebrate Easter!
Celebrate Resurrection with us on Sunday, April 1.
Sunrise Worship on Torrance Beach at 6:30am
Here on our campus:
Casual Worship in Epworth Lounge at 8:30am
Festive Worship (with Brass Ensemble!) in our sanctuary at 10:30am.
(Also: an Easter Egg Hunt for children at 9:45am!)
Spread the Word! Invite someone for Palm Sunday or Easter.
We want to help make it easy for you to invite friends and neighbors to worship. These next couple of weeks, our worship will be so very rich! It's a great time to take the time to invite others to be with us.
We made Facebook events and up-to-date Announcements on our website to make it easy to pass on all the details. We just need you to do the inviting!
This series is based on Adam Hamilton's book, "Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn't Say."
Half-Truths: Sermon Series after Easter
They are simple phrases. They sound Christian—like something you might find in the Bible. We’ve all heard these words. Maybe we’ve said them. They capture some element of truth, yet they miss the point in important ways.
Join us after Easter for a sermon series that tackles some common Christian clichés that don't get it all right:
Everything happens for a reason.
Love the sinner, hate the sin.
God helps those who help themselves.
God won’t give you more than you can handle.
God said it, I believe it, that settles it.
This five-week sermon series begins April 8!
Half-Truths: The Small Group
Go deeper in conversation, and connect to others in community with our 5-week "Half-Truths" small group. We'll talk about the ideas from Pastor Molly's sermon and Adam Hamilton's book. Led by Liz Gyori.
Join us Thursdays from 7-8pm in May Day Parlor, starting April 12--childcare available by request.
Sign up now!
Begins on Thursday, April 12 at 7pm
New Member Class - Sunday, April 8 at 9:30am
Do you want to know more about our church, or what it means to be a member? Or, do you know you're ready to join?
We would love to know more about you!
You are invited to join Pastor Molly and some leaders from our Membership Team for a New Member Class on Sunday, April 8 at 9:30am. (The class will end before 10:30 worship!) Childcare for very young children is available in the nursery--older children and youth are invited to join us.
Small Groups to Help You Grow
Our Grow Groups continue through Easter! Our Devotional continues through Easter Sunday, as well. We hope you will continue to be a part of these practices for deepening our connection to God and one another.
Last Call for filled eggs!
Please return filled eggs this week!!! Look for a big box on the patio this Sunday!
Email Children's Ministry if you have any questions.
Summer 2018: Mark Your Calendars!
Vacation Bible School:
(age 3-8th grade) August 13-17
BeachFaith Kids Arts Camp:
(K-5th grade) July 30-August 3
Baja Mission Trip:
with Inalienable (youth & adults) July 7-14
Summer Camps:
at Lazy W Ranch & other sites
Church R' Us Movie Night!
Friday, April 13 Church R' Us is having a movie night! It's gonna be awesome. Movies, pizza, and popcorn.
Cost: $10 for food
Time: 5-8pm
Date: Friday, April 13
Bonus fun fact for parents: This is the same night & time as Parents Night Out. This just might help you get a few hours to yourselves!
Register by emailing Stephen.
Click here for more info!
Peninsula-Harbor CROP Walk 2018
Save the date for this year's Crop Walk onMay 20, 2018. It will take place at the South Coast Botanical Gardens again! The event is from 10am - 2pm.
More information about our team and how you can register to walk and/or donate will be coming soon!
CROP Walk info
VBS 2018 is coming! Click here for more info and registration!
Want to help out? Email Children's Ministries!
Week In the Arts
Don't miss out on our very special arts camp!
Children will spend the week learning songs, dancing, and making original art pieces- all culminating in an art show and recital at the end of the week.
Open to all K-6th Graders
$200.00 per camper
Scholarships Available
Click here for more info!
Summer Camp at Lazy W Ranch
Send a young person to camp, registration is open now!
The cost is $445 for traditional camps and $475 for adventure camp.
Financial assistance is available, get in touch with Risa for more details!
Adventure Camp (Grades 7-10) June 24-29, 2018
Little Canyoneers (Grades 1-3) July 1-4, 2018
Elementary Camp (Grades 3-6) July 8-13, 2018
Junior High Camp (Grades 6-9) July 15-20, 2018
Senior High Camp (Grades 9-Class of '18 Seniors) July 22-28, 2018
Click here for more information on Lazy W Camps!
To register for camp or learn more about other Cal-Pac Camps, click here!
Announcements
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, April 2, at 7AM. Coco's Restaurant, 18120 Hawthorne Blvd. (Hawthorne and 182nd). All men of the church and their friends are welcome to join us for fellowship.
Prayer Quilt Ministry: Join us for our monthly quilting workshop Friday, April 13, 10am - noon in the choir room. There's something for everyone to do to help. Even if you haven't tried quilt-making before, this is a great way to begin. Know someone in need of prayer? Anyone can sponsor a free prayer quilt. The Quilt Request Form is online or in the church office.
Meals and More: Did you know that we have a ministry that organizes meals and other assistance for church folks in times of need? In the past, we've helped arrange rides to medical appointments, meals for people recovering from surgery, and more. Leila Grantz coordinates this ministry, using online sign-up tools. If you want to be a part of the group that she emails when there is an opportunity to help, or if you know someone who's in need of a little help, please contact the church office or Leila.
Book Club, April TBD: Looking ahead, for April Katharine has selected "The Round House" by Louise Erdrich. It is on the UMW Book List, our UMW has two copies, and is available on Amazon and in some libraries. We meet in May Day Parlor. For more information, contact Ann Gallagher.
This Week: Children, Youth & Adults
Nursery (6 weeks+): The Nursery is open during both services, for ages 6 weeks to 5 yrs old. Located right off of the parking lot across from Epworth Lounge. Please know that children of any age are always welcome in worship. Any questions email the Nursery Coordinator: Adriana Hwang
Children's Ministry (age 3 - 3rd Grade): We'll start out upstairs in the Sunday School room, sign in as early at 10:20. We'll learn about Easter to prepare for next week! Afterward, we'll join our families in worship for Holy Communion.
Church R Us (Grades 4 & 5): Start out in Worship with your family, then head to class with our youth director, Stephen Hale during "Passing of the Peace". You'll head back to church for communion! This week, we're staying in service! We'll resume Sunday School on the 8th.
Church R' Us is Having a Movie Night on April 13! Click here for more info!
Youth Ministry (6th-12th grade):
-Middle School Sunday School? Nope! We're sitting in service this week!
-Youth Group(2-4pm on Sunday)? Nope! Help with the Taco Fundraiser!
Young Adults (19-not very specific):
"Grow Groups" have started for Lent! There are many to choose from, Young Adults and young families are encouraged to join the Monday night group that meets at church, but are welcome at any of them. Click here for more info!
Adult Sunday School: Bible Study and Discussion in May Day Parlor.Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15am. Led by Helen Stockwell. During Lent, the group will meet as a Lenten Grow Group. All are welcome.
Thursday Pastor's Bible Study:
We usually meet Thursday mornings from 11:00-noon, in May Day Parlor. Starting February 22, the group will meet as a Lenten Grow Group. All are welcome.
United Methodist News & Events
Our congregation is a part of the El Tordondo Mission Area, in the West District of the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Bob Peterson's popular column for the Mainsail has found new life, online! Read his view from the pews about church life and community news. You'll enjoy keeping up with the many good things happening in our congregation!
Thursday, 22 March 2018 by Bob Peterson
WOW! If you are not aware of Easter Sunday being next week, April 1st, it's because you haven't been attending church, or paying attention to Pastor Molly's announcements, or reading the bulletin and its contents. There's a lot happening right now. This Sunday's Celebration of Jesus' royal entrance into Jerusalem features a donkey leading the procession carrying Jesus and all of us waving palm fronds because it is Palm Sunday, March 25th. It's a tradition followed for the last several years and eagerly looked forward to by children of all ages as a wonderful beginning for our 10:30 AM worship service.
Next week, April 1st, Easter Sunday, we will be serenaded by the sound of a Brass Ensemble announcing the worship service featuring Jesus and his unique resurrection from death as our world is forever changed for the better. If you are planning to attend, please come early Easter morning in order to get a parking space either in our church lot or across Torrance Blvd. at the Wells Fargo parking lot which can be used by special permission with our church.
Last week, March 18, we heard Choir member Rick McCandless sing the Prayer Song, "When We Are Living" accompanied by our Worship Band and a special Prayer by Pastor Molly. Rick has been singing these solos for a couple of years and I announce this so you will know who it is up there in front of us, leading the singing so we don't get lost. Rick grew up in this church with parents Dr. Harrison and Barbara McCandless and the rest of his family. Later he married into the John & Alice Kirk Family to Kathy and their children have also sung many times for us. It's been a long tradition for these two families, singing in our church.
Perhaps you like our Choir and its renditions. If so, please attend the Good Friday service March 30 at 7:30 PM and hear the Service of Darkness presentation in preparation of Easter's announcement of the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus.
Click here for more of the Lay Looker
Coming at Church
Palm Sunday is This Sunday!
Palm Sunday is a special day at church, and this is a great time to invite friends! Click the image to go to our Facebook Event, and use it to invite other people.
Gather for a photo with our donkey starting at 9:30am. At 10am, we will have our donkey lead the Palm Sunday paradeinto our sanctuary! 10:30 worship will continue the story, through the powerful story of Christ's passion.
Good Friday: Service of Darkness
Worship with us on Good Friday, March 30 at 7:30pm, as we remember and contemplate Jesus Christ's crucifixion.
Our choir will sing Dale Wood's "Service of Darkness," which includes seven choral meditations on the last words of Jesus Christ. Interspersed with scripture readings of these words that Jesus spoke from the cross, the service will provide a prayerful and meditative space on this holy day.
Celebrate Resurrection with us on Sunday, April 1.
Sunrise Worship on Torrance Beach at 6:30am
Here on our campus:
Casual Worship in Epworth Lounge at 8:30am
Festive Worship (with Brass Ensemble!) in our sanctuary at 10:30am.
(Also: an Easter Egg Hunt for children at 9:45am!)
Spread the Word! Invite someone for Palm Sunday or Easter.
We want to help make it easy for you to invite friends and neighbors to worship. These next couple of weeks, our worship will be so very rich! It's a great time to take the time to invite others to be with us.
We made Facebook events and up-to-date Announcements on our website to make it easy to pass on all the details. We just need you to do the inviting!
Half-Truths: Sermon Series after Easter
They are simple phrases. They sound Christian—like something you might find in the Bible. We’ve all heard these words. Maybe we’ve said them. They capture some element of truth, yet they miss the point in important ways.
Join us after Easter for a sermon series that tackles some common Christian clichés that don't get it all right:
Everything happens for a reason.
Love the sinner, hate the sin.
God helps those who help themselves.
God won’t give you more than you can handle.
God said it, I believe it, that settles it.
This five-week sermon series begins April 8!
Half-Truths: The Small Group
Go deeper in conversation, and connect to others in community with our 5-week "Half-Truths" small group. We'll talk about the ideas from Pastor Molly's sermon and Adam Hamilton's book. Led by Liz Gyori.
Join us Thursdays from 7-8pm in May Day Parlor, starting April 12--childcare available by request.
Sign up now!
Do you want to know more about our church, or what it means to be a member? Or, do you know you're ready to join?
We would love to know more about you!
You are invited to join Pastor Molly and some leaders from our Membership Team for a New Member Class on Sunday, April 8 at 9:30am. (The class will end before 10:30 worship!) Childcare for very young children is available in the nursery--older children and youth are invited to join us.
Small Groups to Help You Grow
Our Grow Groups continue through Easter! Our Devotional continues through Easter Sunday, as well. We hope you will continue to be a part of these practices for deepening our connection to God and one another.
Please return filled eggs this week!!! Look for a big box on the patio this Sunday!
Email Children's Ministry if you have any questions.
Vacation Bible School:
(age 3-8th grade) August 13-17
BeachFaith Kids Arts Camp:
(K-5th grade) July 30-August 3
Baja Mission Trip:
with Inalienable (youth & adults) July 7-14
Summer Camps:
at Lazy W Ranch & other sites
Friday, April 13 Church R' Us is having a movie night! It's gonna be awesome. Movies, pizza, and popcorn.
Cost: $10 for food
Time: 5-8pm
Date: Friday, April 13
Bonus fun fact for parents: This is the same night & time as Parents Night Out. This just might help you get a few hours to yourselves!
Register by emailing Stephen.
Click here for more info!
Save the date for this year's Crop Walk onMay 20, 2018. It will take place at the South Coast Botanical Gardens again! The event is from 10am - 2pm.
More information about our team and how you can register to walk and/or donate will be coming soon!
CROP Walk info
Want to help out? Email Children's Ministries!
Don't miss out on our very special arts camp!
Children will spend the week learning songs, dancing, and making original art pieces- all culminating in an art show and recital at the end of the week.
Open to all K-6th Graders
$200.00 per camper
Scholarships Available
Click here for more info!
Send a young person to camp, registration is open now!
The cost is $445 for traditional camps and $475 for adventure camp.
Financial assistance is available, get in touch with Risa for more details!
Adventure Camp (Grades 7-10) June 24-29, 2018
Little Canyoneers (Grades 1-3) July 1-4, 2018
Elementary Camp (Grades 3-6) July 8-13, 2018
Junior High Camp (Grades 6-9) July 15-20, 2018
Senior High Camp (Grades 9-Class of '18 Seniors) July 22-28, 2018
Click here for more information on Lazy W Camps!
To register for camp or learn more about other Cal-Pac Camps, click here!
Announcements
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, April 2, at 7AM. Coco's Restaurant, 18120 Hawthorne Blvd. (Hawthorne and 182nd). All men of the church and their friends are welcome to join us for fellowship.
Prayer Quilt Ministry: Join us for our monthly quilting workshop Friday, April 13, 10am - noon in the choir room. There's something for everyone to do to help. Even if you haven't tried quilt-making before, this is a great way to begin. Know someone in need of prayer? Anyone can sponsor a free prayer quilt. The Quilt Request Form is online or in the church office.
Meals and More: Did you know that we have a ministry that organizes meals and other assistance for church folks in times of need? In the past, we've helped arrange rides to medical appointments, meals for people recovering from surgery, and more. Leila Grantz coordinates this ministry, using online sign-up tools. If you want to be a part of the group that she emails when there is an opportunity to help, or if you know someone who's in need of a little help, please contact the church office or Leila.
Book Club, April TBD: Looking ahead, for April Katharine has selected "The Round House" by Louise Erdrich. It is on the UMW Book List, our UMW has two copies, and is available on Amazon and in some libraries. We meet in May Day Parlor. For more information, contact Ann Gallagher.
This Week: Children, Youth & Adults
Nursery (6 weeks+): The Nursery is open during both services, for ages 6 weeks to 5 yrs old. Located right off of the parking lot across from Epworth Lounge. Please know that children of any age are always welcome in worship. Any questions email the Nursery Coordinator: Adriana Hwang
Children's Ministry (age 3 - 3rd Grade): We'll start out upstairs in the Sunday School room, sign in as early at 10:20. We'll learn about Easter to prepare for next week! Afterward, we'll join our families in worship for Holy Communion.
Church R Us (Grades 4 & 5): Start out in Worship with your family, then head to class with our youth director, Stephen Hale during "Passing of the Peace". You'll head back to church for communion! This week, we're staying in service! We'll resume Sunday School on the 8th.
Church R' Us is Having a Movie Night on April 13! Click here for more info!
Youth Ministry (6th-12th grade):
-Middle School Sunday School? Nope! We're sitting in service this week!
-Youth Group(2-4pm on Sunday)? Nope! Help with the Taco Fundraiser!
Young Adults (19-not very specific):
"Grow Groups" have started for Lent! There are many to choose from, Young Adults and young families are encouraged to join the Monday night group that meets at church, but are welcome at any of them. Click here for more info!
Adult Sunday School: Bible Study and Discussion in May Day Parlor.Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15am. Led by Helen Stockwell. During Lent, the group will meet as a Lenten Grow Group. All are welcome.
Thursday Pastor's Bible Study:
We usually meet Thursday mornings from 11:00-noon, in May Day Parlor. Starting February 22, the group will meet as a Lenten Grow Group. All are welcome.
United Methodist News & Events
Our congregation is a part of the El Tordondo Mission Area, in the West District of the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach
310-372-5696 fax
Ongoing Ministries
Free Meal on Wednesday Nights
Offering food and friendship to those in need, every Wednesday night since 1992. More info here.
SHARED BREAD NEEDS DONATIONS OF:
Men’s jeans waist sizes 32- 38; Men’s new socks, white or grey only- all sizes; Men’s tennis shoes - especially sizes 9.5 to 11.5
Please bring them to church on Sunday, or to the office during the week.
DESSERTS FOR SHARED BREAD
Homemade treats are treasured by our guests – but purchased treats would be wonderful, as well. Please wrap desserts tightly and mark for Shared Bread. Deliver Sunday (when you come for church) through Wednesday to the church kitchen (or the office if kitchen is closed.) Wednesday deliveries
should be here by 4:00pm to help us plan our meal better. THANK YOU!
This Sunday we welcome back our friend and guest singer Chase Matthews, who has been with us 5 times before. He was originally recommended to us by Julie, when I was looking for a “powerhouse rock tenor” to sing Gethsemane from Jesus Christ Superstar. It happened that Chase was singing with Julie in one of her shows and had sung the role before. Needless to say, he brought the house down, and has done so each time he’s been back, and he’s back to sing it again for us. He’s all over the entertainment world, having been involved in dozens of movies, TV shows and theatrical productions. On the stage, he’s been in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Vox Lumiere’s Phantom of the Opera, Mame, Fiddler on the Roof and Company. On the big and little screen, he’s starred in 1,000 Ways To Die, Aninoand A.D.D.T.V. w/Chase Matthews. Watch for him Peacekeepers, which is now in pre-production. He’s represented...
Thursday, March 22, 2018 - Music Notes
Music Director, Jim Raycroft, will
share upcoming worship music
selections and a little bit of history, too.
Jim Raycroft
Thursday, 22 March 2018 by Jim Raycroft
This Sunday we welcome back our friend and guest singer Chase Matthews, who has been with us 5 times before. He was originally recommended to us by Julie, when I was looking for a "powerhouse rock tenor" to sing Gethsemane from Jesus Christ Superstar. It happened that Chase was singing with Julie in one of her shows and had sung the role before. Needless to say, he brought the house down, and has done so each time he's been back, and he's back to sing it again for us. He's all over the entertainment world, having been involved in dozens of movies, TV shows and theatrical productions. On the stage, he's been in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Vox Lumiere's Phantom of the Opera, Mame, Fiddler on the Roof and Company. On the big and little screen, he's starred in 1,000 Ways To Die, Anino and A.D.D.T.V. w/Chase Matthews. Watch for him Peacekeepers, which is now in pre-production. He's represented by Hollywood Original Talent, and you can check him out at www.chasematthews.net .
Samuel Barber is one of the most notable and celebrated American composers of the 20th century. He composed operas, orchestral, choral and piano music. He himself was a singer (in addition to being a prodigy in piano and composition) and his vocal reflects a knowledge of the voice that sometimes escapes other composers. His music is imminently singable, lying comfortably in the voice and is a joy to sing. The Hermit Songs is a cycle of 10 songs were that were written in 1953 on a grant from the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation, using texts coming from a collection of anonymous poems by 8thand 9th century Irish monks. The text for The Crucifixion, which is the 5th song in the cycle, was translated by Howard Mumford Jones and is a poetic description of the grief inherent with the crucifixion of Jesus.
Andrew Lloyd Webber has become an icon in the world of theatrical music, writing his first pieces, a suite of 6 pieces, at the age of nine. Over the years he has written 13 musicals (several of which have run for over a decade both on the West End of London and on Broadway), a song cycle, a set of variations, 2 film scores and a Latin Requiem Mass. Jesus Christ Superstar began as a concept album in the late 1960's, with Webber working with his school friend Tim Rice. They began recording the music piecemeal, and released I Don't Know How To Love Him as a single in 1970, which peaked at #28 in the U.S in 1971. The lead role of Jesus was sung by Ian Gillan, who had just joined the English rock band Deep Purple and brought with him a degree of fame and following to the project. Mary Magdalene was sung by Yvonne Elliman, who was born in Honolulu (Irish father, Japanese mother) and was singing in London clubs at the time she was discovered by Webber and Rice. She and Barry Dennen (Pilate) were the only cast members to do the original concept album of 1970, the first authorized stage performance at the Pittsburgh Civic Auditorium in July of 1971, the original Broadway production, which opened in October of 1971, and the movie, which was released in 1973 (starring Ted Neeley as Jesus, who was the Jesus understudy for the original Broadway production). Music director on the movie was Andre Previn, who began his career scoring movies and was hired to be the music director for the London Symphony in 1968. He told me about his experience working on the movie while we were preparing a performance of the Britten Spring Symphony. "I was knee-deep in the London Symphony when Norman Jewison called and told me he needed me for a movie. I told him I didn't have time. He said "It's Jesus Christ Superstar" and I said "Then especially NO, because I hate the piece". He told me that Webber had insisted on being music director and they had spent 18 three hour sessions with the London Philharmonic and had only 2½ minutes of usable music. I agreed to go look at what they had, and when I saw it, I told him that the problem was that the music wasn't laid out for a movie (aside – all movie music has to be time-coded, so that it can be syncopated to the action on the screen). After much groveling, I told him that I would do it, but I needed 2 orchestrators and 6 copyists at my disposal immediately, there was a specific music editor that he would fly out from Hollywood first class and, sorry to be crass, but it's going to cost you a lot of money. Jewison said "Fine. Right now, I have no movie". I rewrote the score and we recorded it in 6 weeks." Hosanna is the song underscoring the Palm Sunday entrance of Jesus into the temple. Gethsemane is the song sung by Jesus in the garden as he waits to be arrested.
Mark Miller received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Yale University and his Master of Music in Organ Performance from Juilliard. He currently serves on the faculty at both the Drew Theological School and the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University where he teaches music and worship. He also is Director of the Gospel and Youth Choirs at the Marble Collegiate Church, in New York City. From 1999 to 2001 he was Music Associate and Assistant Organist of The Riverside Church in New York City. He is well known throughout the United Methodist Church as a worship leader, teacher and performer of sacred music. Abingdon Press has written that he is a "rising star in the field of Protestant music." Since 1997 Mark has performed concerts and directed conferences at churches both across the United States and internationally. His song I Believe, written in 2012, has become a favorite due to its simplicity and upbeat message.
Jack Walker is a composer based in Santa Monica. He's written mostly for the church, including anthems, instrumentals and musicals, including a musical called Moses (yup, it's about exactly what you think it's about) that was received to critical acclaim (I recorded a couple of tunes from it for him a few years ago). He was music director at Brentwood Presbyterian Church for many years, retiring in the late 90's, and was there when I was the bass section leader from 1987 to 1991. One day he was complaining to me that no one would publish a communion anthem he had recently written called Come To The Table because it was a cappella (no accompaniment). In those days especially (and even now), publishers were in the business of selling music, not publishing it, and they were looking at studies that showed that the average church choir in the country had 12 members with no tenors. The publishers became increasingly specific about what kinds of music they would consider for publication, and for many years, the church music world was drowned in a sea of poorly written, uninspired little anthems that would never float in the real world of music, but they were easily accessible for the "average" church choir. I told Jack to simply add a "Chopinesque" piano accompaniment and submit it, because it was a good piece of music. He told me "Well, DO it!" So I did, and it got published by Fred Bock Music and went on to be his best-seller. Jack has been to visit our congregation a couple of times since I've been here, and gave us a copy of Come To The Table for our library.
Click here to read more Music Notes!
Looking for a Way to Volunteer?
The Welcome Team is looking for volunteers who can help about once a month between the two services and/or immediately after the 10:30 service. Go to our "Want to Help" page to learn more about this awesome ministry, as well as several other current ways you can lend a hand in ministry.
Calling All Gardeners!
Do you have a couple hours once or twice a month to help maintain our beautiful church gardens? Tasks would include pruning, planting, weeding and watering. Whatever you can help with, we'd love to have you join our team! Duties could change seasonally. Sign up through the church office, or by talking with Jody Wilkinson.
4th-8th Graders needed to Acolyte!
Acolytes are needed for 10:30 worship each week. If you've been trained, you can sign up via our "sign up genius" (click here!)
If you are interested in being trained, email children's ministries!
Our UMW is back to their regular meeting times.
Circle Meeting Time
United Methodist Women’s Reading Program: There are many titles to choose from with new ones added every year! Books are available in the UMW library located in May Day Parlor. Any one can read the books and our own local UMW unit will get credit! click here for information about the program.
Support missions through recycling!
Bring your plastic bottles, aluminum cans AND CRV glass bottles to church every Sunday. By recycling we can support Corazon, Crop Walk, Habitat for Humanity and some of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) programs: Syrian refugee relief, eradicating hunger, clean water, ending malaria and fighting HIV/AIDS. Please bring your cans and bottles.
We have many spots to fill for liturgists on Sunday mornings. The following link will take you the sign up. Please check it out.
Sunday Worship Liturgist Sign Up
Campus WiFi network is: First UMC Guests; Password is: openhearts
Parking Reminder: If you are able, we encourage you to park at the Wells Fargo bank on Sunday mornings, and walk across the street, reserving the parking lot for those with mobility challenges or for new visitors. We also have a bike rack on the patio. Thanks for your consideration.
Hearing Assistance Devices are available on Sunday mornings. Just ask for one at the audio/video booth in the sanctuary.
Offering food and friendship to those in need, every Wednesday night since 1992. More info here.
SHARED BREAD NEEDS DONATIONS OF:
Men’s jeans waist sizes 32- 38; Men’s new socks, white or grey only- all sizes; Men’s tennis shoes - especially sizes 9.5 to 11.5
Please bring them to church on Sunday, or to the office during the week.
DESSERTS FOR SHARED BREAD
Homemade treats are treasured by our guests – but purchased treats would be wonderful, as well. Please wrap desserts tightly and mark for Shared Bread. Deliver Sunday (when you come for church) through Wednesday to the church kitchen (or the office if kitchen is closed.) Wednesday deliveries
should be here by 4:00pm to help us plan our meal better. THANK YOU!
Thursday, March 22, 2018 - Music Notes
share upcoming worship music
selections and a little bit of history, too.
Jim Raycroft
Thursday, 22 March 2018 by Jim Raycroft
This Sunday we welcome back our friend and guest singer Chase Matthews, who has been with us 5 times before. He was originally recommended to us by Julie, when I was looking for a "powerhouse rock tenor" to sing Gethsemane from Jesus Christ Superstar. It happened that Chase was singing with Julie in one of her shows and had sung the role before. Needless to say, he brought the house down, and has done so each time he's been back, and he's back to sing it again for us. He's all over the entertainment world, having been involved in dozens of movies, TV shows and theatrical productions. On the stage, he's been in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Vox Lumiere's Phantom of the Opera, Mame, Fiddler on the Roof and Company. On the big and little screen, he's starred in 1,000 Ways To Die, Anino and A.D.D.T.V. w/Chase Matthews. Watch for him Peacekeepers, which is now in pre-production. He's represented by Hollywood Original Talent, and you can check him out at www.chasematthews.net . Samuel Barber is one of the most notable and celebrated American composers of the 20th century. He composed operas, orchestral, choral and piano music. He himself was a singer (in addition to being a prodigy in piano and composition) and his vocal reflects a knowledge of the voice that sometimes escapes other composers. His music is imminently singable, lying comfortably in the voice and is a joy to sing. The Hermit Songs is a cycle of 10 songs were that were written in 1953 on a grant from the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation, using texts coming from a collection of anonymous poems by 8thand 9th century Irish monks. The text for The Crucifixion, which is the 5th song in the cycle, was translated by Howard Mumford Jones and is a poetic description of the grief inherent with the crucifixion of Jesus.
Andrew Lloyd Webber has become an icon in the world of theatrical music, writing his first pieces, a suite of 6 pieces, at the age of nine. Over the years he has written 13 musicals (several of which have run for over a decade both on the West End of London and on Broadway), a song cycle, a set of variations, 2 film scores and a Latin Requiem Mass. Jesus Christ Superstar began as a concept album in the late 1960's, with Webber working with his school friend Tim Rice. They began recording the music piecemeal, and released I Don't Know How To Love Him as a single in 1970, which peaked at #28 in the U.S in 1971. The lead role of Jesus was sung by Ian Gillan, who had just joined the English rock band Deep Purple and brought with him a degree of fame and following to the project. Mary Magdalene was sung by Yvonne Elliman, who was born in Honolulu (Irish father, Japanese mother) and was singing in London clubs at the time she was discovered by Webber and Rice. She and Barry Dennen (Pilate) were the only cast members to do the original concept album of 1970, the first authorized stage performance at the Pittsburgh Civic Auditorium in July of 1971, the original Broadway production, which opened in October of 1971, and the movie, which was released in 1973 (starring Ted Neeley as Jesus, who was the Jesus understudy for the original Broadway production). Music director on the movie was Andre Previn, who began his career scoring movies and was hired to be the music director for the London Symphony in 1968. He told me about his experience working on the movie while we were preparing a performance of the Britten Spring Symphony. "I was knee-deep in the London Symphony when Norman Jewison called and told me he needed me for a movie. I told him I didn't have time. He said "It's Jesus Christ Superstar" and I said "Then especially NO, because I hate the piece". He told me that Webber had insisted on being music director and they had spent 18 three hour sessions with the London Philharmonic and had only 2½ minutes of usable music. I agreed to go look at what they had, and when I saw it, I told him that the problem was that the music wasn't laid out for a movie (aside – all movie music has to be time-coded, so that it can be syncopated to the action on the screen). After much groveling, I told him that I would do it, but I needed 2 orchestrators and 6 copyists at my disposal immediately, there was a specific music editor that he would fly out from Hollywood first class and, sorry to be crass, but it's going to cost you a lot of money. Jewison said "Fine. Right now, I have no movie". I rewrote the score and we recorded it in 6 weeks." Hosanna is the song underscoring the Palm Sunday entrance of Jesus into the temple. Gethsemane is the song sung by Jesus in the garden as he waits to be arrested.
Mark Miller received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Yale University and his Master of Music in Organ Performance from Juilliard. He currently serves on the faculty at both the Drew Theological School and the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University where he teaches music and worship. He also is Director of the Gospel and Youth Choirs at the Marble Collegiate Church, in New York City. From 1999 to 2001 he was Music Associate and Assistant Organist of The Riverside Church in New York City. He is well known throughout the United Methodist Church as a worship leader, teacher and performer of sacred music. Abingdon Press has written that he is a "rising star in the field of Protestant music." Since 1997 Mark has performed concerts and directed conferences at churches both across the United States and internationally. His song I Believe, written in 2012, has become a favorite due to its simplicity and upbeat message.
Jack Walker is a composer based in Santa Monica. He's written mostly for the church, including anthems, instrumentals and musicals, including a musical called Moses (yup, it's about exactly what you think it's about) that was received to critical acclaim (I recorded a couple of tunes from it for him a few years ago). He was music director at Brentwood Presbyterian Church for many years, retiring in the late 90's, and was there when I was the bass section leader from 1987 to 1991. One day he was complaining to me that no one would publish a communion anthem he had recently written called Come To The Table because it was a cappella (no accompaniment). In those days especially (and even now), publishers were in the business of selling music, not publishing it, and they were looking at studies that showed that the average church choir in the country had 12 members with no tenors. The publishers became increasingly specific about what kinds of music they would consider for publication, and for many years, the church music world was drowned in a sea of poorly written, uninspired little anthems that would never float in the real world of music, but they were easily accessible for the "average" church choir. I told Jack to simply add a "Chopinesque" piano accompaniment and submit it, because it was a good piece of music. He told me "Well, DO it!" So I did, and it got published by Fred Bock Music and went on to be his best-seller. Jack has been to visit our congregation a couple of times since I've been here, and gave us a copy of Come To The Table for our library.
Click here to read more Music Notes!
Looking for a Way to Volunteer?
The Welcome Team is looking for volunteers who can help about once a month between the two services and/or immediately after the 10:30 service. Go to our "Want to Help" page to learn more about this awesome ministry, as well as several other current ways you can lend a hand in ministry.
Do you have a couple hours once or twice a month to help maintain our beautiful church gardens? Tasks would include pruning, planting, weeding and watering. Whatever you can help with, we'd love to have you join our team! Duties could change seasonally. Sign up through the church office, or by talking with Jody Wilkinson.
Acolytes are needed for 10:30 worship each week. If you've been trained, you can sign up via our "sign up genius" (click here!)
If you are interested in being trained, email children's ministries!
Circle Meeting Time
- Naomi Circle 2nd Tuesday @ 10:00am
- Hannah Circle 2nd Tuesday @ 7:00pm
- Mary Circle 4th Monday @ 7:00pm
United Methodist Women’s Reading Program: There are many titles to choose from with new ones added every year! Books are available in the UMW library located in May Day Parlor. Any one can read the books and our own local UMW unit will get credit! click here for information about the program.
Support missions through recycling!
Bring your plastic bottles, aluminum cans AND CRV glass bottles to church every Sunday. By recycling we can support Corazon, Crop Walk, Habitat for Humanity and some of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) programs: Syrian refugee relief, eradicating hunger, clean water, ending malaria and fighting HIV/AIDS. Please bring your cans and bottles.
Sunday Worship Liturgist Sign Up
Campus WiFi network is: First UMC Guests; Password is: openhearts
Parking Reminder: If you are able, we encourage you to park at the Wells Fargo bank on Sunday mornings, and walk across the street, reserving the parking lot for those with mobility challenges or for new visitors. We also have a bike rack on the patio. Thanks for your consideration.
Hearing Assistance Devices are available on Sunday mornings. Just ask for one at the audio/video booth in the sanctuary.
Connect with us
First United Methodist Church
243 South Broadway
Redondo Beach, California 90277, United States
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