Our lives are run by a series of different schedules. These are sometimes conflicting. As a parent, the school year runs my family’s life: when is spring break? How long is summer vacation? These questions determine our lives. As a sports fan our lives are run by games. I love it, especially this time of year. Those are two powerful schedules that determine who we are.
The church also has a calendar that determines who we are. And this week is the height of that calendar. Holy Week is the summit from which we look down on and evaluate all the rest of the year. And do we ever have a Holy Week planned for you. I want to encourage all of you to take part in all of Holy Week. It’s the week where we walk with Jesus down a lonely road to Golgotha, called “Skull Place,” to die. And yet that death is not the end.
All week please be specially attentive to scripture and prayer. One approach to Holy Week would be to read the passion stories in all four gospels. It will take a while, but it will help you live into what Jesus experienced with his betrayal, arrest, torture, death, and his end-that-was-not-the-end. As a church we will gather on Wednesday of Holy Week at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel during the time when we normally celebrate the Eucharist. This week we will celebrate a foot washing, where Jesus, the greatest, takes the role of a slave. Please wear shoes you can remove with relative ease (hard this time of year when it is not yet warm, I realize!). We will remember who our Lord is, and what it means to serve him, as we wash one another’s feet.
Thursday we have our dramatic representation of the Last Supper, “Is it I?” directed by Paul and Diana Haas. This has become a mainstay here in the High Country. We invite you to experience it again or for the first time. Twelve men in our church become the disciples on the night of Jesus’ last meal. We learn what each is thinking when Jesus announces that one will betray. And we learn a bit about each of the twelve and how their lives ended as powerful witnesses to Jesus. It has been said that the best “proof” we have of the resurrection is this sorry lot of losers transformed from deniers and betrayers into those who would give their lives in martyrdom for what they had seen and heard. The best “proof” Jesus has now is your and my life. Sobering thought, isn’t it? Enough to make you and me get ourselves to church, isn’t it?
On Friday we will begin our celebration with The Stations of the Cross, portrayed by Dr. Cynthia Taylor, followed by the seven last words that Jesus says from his cross: “Father, forgive,” “I thirst,” “It is finished,” and more. Our preachers are seven of our leaders at this church and beyond: Carrie McClain, our own pastor Jeff’s wife, herself a seminary graduate and aspiring pastor; Caitlin Tremper, a graduating senior at App bound for divinity school; Renee Choate, longtime leader at our church and at others; Eric Heistand, campus minister with Cru at App, Austin Eggers, seminary graduate and from a long-standing family at our church; Chief or Buddy Price, longtime pastor of Banner Elk Christian Fellowship (now in his 90s!); and from my staff Dana Holden, director of our preschool, and a seminary grad and leader in the church herself. Each preacher gets all of 3 minutes, 180 seconds (we won’t go over an hour!), to illumine her or his portion of scripture. These are some of the most gifted preachers we have, people who love our church, please come and support them and worship on Friday night at 7:00 p.m.
On Holy Saturday we will have an Easter Egg hunt and other children’s activities at the church from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30a.m. All the world waits on Holy Saturday for what’s to come.
Easter Sunday will begin early, 6:30 a.m., while it is still dark (John 20:1), when the women first came to the tomb. We will worship in the chapel. Our first sunrise service in some time will include music, preaching, communion. Our regular worship services at 8:45 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and Crossroads at 10:55 a.m. will be full of visitors. As we worship the newly risen Lord that day be sure and greet and welcome and speak to those not normally in church. What a gift that God sends us angels in the form of visitors on these holy days.
And what a gift to serve a crucified and risen Lord together in these mountains. Blessings for Holy Week.
We are blessed to host this celebration each spring and to be in the presence of wonderful missionaries who serve in the name of Jesus Christ all over the world. The Mission Celebration Weekend is full of learning, worshiping, and fellowship. There will also be opportunities for children to participate.
Each of our visiting missionaries will share stories of their inspiring work. You will be intrigued by the missionaries and their stories. You will be moved and feel the presence of God in our midst as we hear of His work throughout the world. You will feel that, in some special way, you are part of it all. We pray that this weekend will provide a time for our hearts to be renewed in our commitment to follow God’s command to make disciples of all the nations. The weekend culminates with a very special moment in the life of our church, when we renew our Faith Promise. Through Faith Promise giving, we trust God to provide over and beyond our normal offerings in support of mission efforts locally, nationally, and around the world.
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It is often said that Christmas Eve and Easter services are the highest attended services of the year in the life of a church…I believe this is significant.
Consider what we have the opportunity to celebrate this Sunday; consider the fact that as the church, as followers of Christ…it all hinges on this…the defeat of death, the victory over the grave, and the invitation into the hope that we can be restored; that what we might be going through, the scars we bear, the wounds that seem to cut to deep, the doubt, the suffering, the struggles…none of these things have the final say. Rather, it is hope that has the final say. Death does not win. This Sunday, the grave will be empty…and we will celebrate, we will lift our voices, and the hope of that good news will be proclaimed, and the invitation for renewal and restoration found only in Christ will be given…and lives will be changed.
Will you be a part of the march to the cross, the darkness of the grave, and the hope of the Resurrection? Will you invite others on this journey with you? Our prayer is that this is so.
We look forward to the remainder of this journey with you!
Wednesday – April 16, 2014
Foot Washing Service
At 7:00 pm in the chapel we will have a time to remember Christ washing of the disciples’ feet as an act of servanthood.
Maundy Thursday – April 17, 2014
Meager Meal
All are invited for a simple meal in the Family Life Center from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm.
A Communion Service is preceded by a dramatization of The Last Supper. Jesus said “One of you shall betray me”. This is a portrayal of each of the apostle’s response. At the end of their monologue they each ask “Is it I?” The 22nd year of this powerful drama will begin at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary.
Foot Washing Service at Blackburn’s Chapel in Todd
At 5:00 pm a time to remember Christ washing the disciples’ feet as an act of servanthood.
Self Guided Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross will be on exhibit in the sanctuary from 9:00 am until 6:30 pm All sojourners are welcome to read about and travel a short pictorial journey depicting Christ’s last earthly days and his resurrection. Images courtesy of Dr. Cynthia Taylor © 2007.
Christ’s Seven Last Words
A worship service at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary with reflections on the seven last words of Christ. The speakers include:Keith Tutterow, Tyler Godshalk, Brandon Wrencher, Alexis Martinez, JB Beyer, Gene Ammons and Price St. Clair.
Holy Saturday – April 19, 2014
Family Easter Celebration
Come celebrate the season with your family. Walk through the Easter story and prepare your hearts for Easter. This powerfully moving, multisensory family outreach event that guides families along Jesus’ footsteps during his last days on earth. During this engaging event, families will journey through five stations and participate in impactful activities as they:
*Travel to Jerusalem for Palm Sunday
*Sit down for the Last Supper
*Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane
*Discover the sacrifice of Good Friday
*Celebrate freedom at the empty tomb that first Easter morning
Designed specifically for parents and children of all ages to experience and discover Easter and the events leading up to it in a way they’ll never forget. Please bring your basket for an egg hunt.This event will be held from 10:00 am – 11:30 am regardless of weather.
Easter Sunday – April 20, 2014
6:30 am Sunrise Service at Boone UMC in the Courtyard (or Chapel if inclement weather)
8:45 am Praise and Worship, 10:55 am Crossroads, 11:00 am Traditional Worship at Boone UMC
9:00 am Breakfast with 10:00 am Worship at Blackburn’s Chapel in Todd, NC
Jesus’ resurrection explodes the grave, and afterward the church exploded into mission in the world. This is the greatest day on the calendar, let’s fill our church. Invite a neighbor or friend to come with you. The resurrection scatters disciples into the world to care for Jesus’ poor, to invite all to friendship with Him and with us–let’s be part of that invitation this Easter.
Boone United Methodist Women will be accepting applications for educational scholarships awarded for post high school education needs. There is no restriction on age, gender, religion, or race. The amount of each scholarship will range from 500 dollars to 1,000 dollars depending on need. Announcements of awards will be made by May 1, 2013.
Summer is almost here. Be sure to get your spot reserved for Wilderness Trail (June 26, – July 3) AND DCGO Vol 2 the Summer Mission Trip to DC.
We have seen the Lord do amazing things and move us in amazing ways this school year. We believe is only going to continue….that the Lord desires to do GREATER THINGS than He has already done!
Family Retreat – Memorial Day Weekend May 24-27, 2013
Tons of Family Fun–Sailing, Kayaking, Hayride, Campfire, Swimming, Archery, Fishing, Worship…
Sign up in the chapel by March 31st! Children under 1 are Free.
Questions: Dan Krontz, 963-0316, dkrontz@integrity.com
Attic Basement and Closet Sale, May 24-25 2013
We are now collecting gently used kitchen items, clothing, toys, shoes, etc. Items can be brought to room 135 during regular office hours. No large furniture, appliances, or winter clothing please. All proceeds benefit LOCAL missions.
