ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
MAYTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
THE REV. ROBERT M. LESCALLETTE, PASTOR
KEITH SMITH, ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTER
ROBERT BRINSER, INTERIM MUSIC DIRECTOR
JONAN SHIRK, PARISH SECRETARY
BECKY FLECKENSTEIN, PARISH SEXTON
PALM SUNDAY/PASSION SUNDAY APRIL 9, 2006
“Clap Your Hands” B. Boertne
(At the sound of the chimes, the congregation rises and faces the Pastor, Lector, and Crucifer, who stands at the annex door, in the rear of the sanctuary.)
Pastor: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
PEOPLE: HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID.
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
PEOPLE: AND ALSO WITH YOU.
Pastor: Let us pray.
Mercifully assist us, O’ Lord, God of our salvation, that we
may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts whereby you have given us life everlasting; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
PEOPLE: AMEN
THE PROCESSIONAL GOSPEL – MARK 11:1-11
(At the conclusion of the Reading, all raise their palm branches in the air and keep them lifted up until the hymn.)
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
PEOPLE: AND ALSO WITH YOU.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
PEOPLE: IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE HIM THANKS AND
PRAISE.
Pastor: We praise and thank you, O God, for the great acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
On this day, he entered the Holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was acclaimed Son of David and King of Kings by those who scattered their garments and branches of palm in His path.
We ask that you bless these branches, and those who bear them, and grant that we may ever hail Him as our Lord and King, and follow Him with perfect confidence; through you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
PEOPLE: AMEN.
Pastor: Let us go forth in peace.
PEOPLE: IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (All sit, following the prayer)
THE HYMN “DAY BY DAY” (See page 3)
THE CHANCEL DRAMA
“TAKE THIS CUP FROM ME”
by Karla R. Jensen
CAST, IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
NARRATOR – SAMUEL THOMAS
MOTHER – BECKY THOMAS
YOUTH – AMY CHAPMAN
ALCOHOLIC – MICHAEL ROSS
HUSBAND – CLIFF HAFER
SINGLE WOMAN – JONAN SHIRK
NURSE – SHERI HAFER
PASTOR – MICHAEL THOMAS
(Due to the solemn nature of today’s service, the congregation is asked to refrain from applauding at the end of the play. The cast will gather at the tower door after the service, where you may thank them for their service today.)
THE DUET - “ABOVE ALL” P. Baloche & L. LeBlanc
Sung by Glenn Bachert and JoNan Shirk
THE OFFERING
THE OFFERTORY - “The Sacrifices of God” (Sung standing)
THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
THE LORD’S PRAYER
THE BENEDICTION
THE SILENT PRAYER
(As the Hymn is played, quietly, a final time, without singing, the Acolyte extinguishes the Altar Candles.)
Organist Bob Brinser is accompanied by Harmonica player Butch Boyer.
(PLEASE REMAIN IN PLACE, IN YOUR PEWS, UNTIL THE POSTLUDE IS COMPLETED, THEN, LEAVE QUIETLY AND REFLECTIVELY.)
THE PALMS ON THE ALTAR
…are given to the Glory of God with Thanksgiving to all whose dedication and musical talents add so much to both our traditional and contemporary service each week, by Betty Henny.
THE BULLETINS…
Are given with thanks to God for my family, by Karen Sweitzer.
PARTICIPANTS IN TODAY’S SERVICE
Morning Lector – JoNan Shirk
Evening Lector – Laura Wolfe
Acolyte – Harry Rehkugler
Crucifer – Kelsey Hafer
Greeter – Joyce Boyer
Head Usher – Dick Shirk
Altar Care – The Vogels
THANKS…
…to our wonderful actors, singers, and musicians, who lent so much to today’s memorable service!
…to the men of St. John’s and our Social Ministry ladies for providing the delicious breakfast today!
…to Chris Harnish, for planting the lovely pansies around the church this week.
…to Janelle Hollinger, Charlie Johns, Pat Kirchner, and Chris Harnish, for polishing our Altar brass.
…to Anne Frank, for the loan of a tablecloth and to Pascale Hertzog for the loan of a stool for play props.
…to all the volunteers involved in the 2006 Easter Egg Candy Project for the Women if ELCA. Thanks to the 15 volunteers who gave of their time on Mondays and Fridays and to our super sales people. Kelly Wood and Kim Baker who kept us busy with their many orders – we say a special thank you! We are applying to Thrivent for a grant to the congregation for this project.
LENTEN SUPPER!
Last Wednesday, 45 people enjoyed the fifth Lenten Supper. This Wednesday at 6:00 pm, the Evangelism Committee will host the final supper of 2006 and serve a traditional favorite – chicken and waffles! Join Jan, Judy, Paul, Betty and Pastor for some great material and spiritual food.
HOLY WEEK 2006
The culmination of Lent, and the greatest days of this Christian Church year are upon us. Please attend all these “core” experiences of our faith, and bring along family and friends.
On Maundy Thursday, we offer 2 services to make the institution of Holy Communion:
at 6:15 am, when all is quiet, there will be a brief, spoken service for early risers and those who wish to commune before work.
At 7:30 pm, we will have, as our guests, Pastor Cheryl Hoffman and the people of Zion Lutheran Church, of Marietta. Pastor Hoffman will preach, Pastor Lescallette will preside at the Altar, and Catechetical students from both parishes, under the direction of Pat Vogel, will ceremonially strip the Altar. Margie Landis and Rose Barr will also sing a beautiful duet.
On Good Friday, the Prayer Vigil will take place all day, the bell will be rung 33 times at 3:00 pm, and, at 7:30 pm, the dramatic “Service” of The Shadows” )”Tennebrae”, in Latin) will be held. This year, we shall read Mark’s Passion account.
On Holy Saturday, we can use your help in decorating the church for Easter, starting at 9:00 am. Then, at noon, youth are asked to help hide eggs, and at 2:00 pm there will be the Annual Egg Hunt. A special story will be read using an interactive format, and there will be a scavenger hunt and snacks. (Invite neighborhood kids under 13.)
Finally, on Easter Sunday, at 10:30 am, we will hold the greatest service of the year, with beautiful decorations and loads of special music by both choirs, instrumentalists, and the congregation. Holy Communion will be served and Pastor will deliver the Easter message.
Please note that there is No Contemporary Service scheduled for April 16 or 23. That Service resumes on April 30.
SECRET PAL PROGRAM – LAST CALL!!!!
During April 16th until June 4th we will be holding a “Secret Pal” program. This will be for the adults of the congregation to be a secret pal to the children. On June 4th the identity of the secret pal will be revealed at a “Secret Pa;” breakfast beginning at 9:00 a.m. If you are interested in participating please sign up by April 12th. We need about 20 adults to sign up and so far we have 14. Men needed, especially.
SOAP!!
At press time, the congregation has donated 568 bars of bath-size soap to the Social Ministry Lenten Appeal. That means we have 1 week to collect 35 more bars to reach our goal of 600. if you will help place soap in the tub, where it can be counted. Do not put it in the tower window well where that wall of soap now stands. Thank you!
GOOD FRIDAY PRAYER VIGIL
All St. Johners are asked to pick a 15-minute time slot on Good Friday, April 14, and come to church that time to pray for the congregation, the whole church, and the world. (Papers with prayer subjects will be posted for your assistance, if desired.0
At press time, only 21 members had signed up. Please don’t forget to join them. The sign-up sheet awaits your name, in the tower.
URGENT APPEAL!
If you are 13 – 18 years old, Pastor needs your help in hiding eggs for the Egg Hunt this Saturday. Come to church at noon and you’ll be “paid” with pizza and the knowledge that you did a good work!
AND YET ANOTHER URGENT APPEAL!
Very few people have signed up to provide plastic eggs filled with candy and snack food for this Saturday’s Egg Hunt. We need about 30 dozen eggs and at press time only had commitments for 12 dozen. Help our younger children have a happy church memory. Thank you.
OLD SHEETS, CURTAINS, BLANKETS…
…are needed to be used to make quilts. They must be in good shape, any color or fabric. If you have any to donate please see that Vernetta Wallander gets them. They benefit the Lutheran World Relief.
PEOPLE UP-DATE
Nancy Brown now lives at Conestoga View.
Keith Smith is recovering nicely.
Bill Vogel may have heart by-pass surgery soon.
Charleen Smeltzer had a carpel tunnel operation.
Bakers now live at 677 Ivy Drive, Mount Joy.
DEAR ST. JOHN’S FAMILY
Thank you all for so very much for the many thoughts of kindness you’ve showed our family over the past few weeks. Special thanks to our “guardian musical angel”, Bob Brinser, for filling in so wonderfully, as our organist and choir director. Thanks for all the prayers, kind thoughts, cards, and letters your sent. Thanks to Pat and Bill Vogel for helping to take care of our animals and for bringing out a delicious meal. Thanks to those who made a brought our Lenten meals and other treats. Thanks to Pastor Bob & Ron and other members for their hospital visits and to all of you for taking such good care of us. God Bless you all. I’ll be “back in the saddle” in a few short weeks.
Love,
Keith & Deb
SAINTS AND SINNERS WELCOME!
Join the adult Sunday school group on Sunday mornings, beginning April 23rd, for the Lutheran Course. This brand new curriculum is based on the Lutheran Handbook and uses the same combination of solid theology and offbeat humor. “Great for new Lutherans, old Lutherans, and anyone in between”, the seven week course will take us through the fundamentals of Lutheranism. Each participant will be using a Lutheran Handbook and a workbook, so please call Sheri Hafer (426-2226) to sign up now!
THE SPRING MEETING…
…of the Lutheran Historical Society of Lancaster County will be held Sunday, April 30 at 3:00 Pm as the Swamp Lutheran Church, 275 Swamp Church Road, Reinholds. Established in 1744, the congregation is marking the 200th anniversary of its incorporation this year. A fellowship hour will be held following the presentation of the history of the congregation. All members, friends, and new members cordially welcome.
PARTICIPANTS IN 4/16/06 SERVICE.
Lector – Sheri Hafer
Acolytes – Amy Chapman & Ashley Funk
Crucifer – Samuel Thomas
Greeters – No one signed up
Head Usher – Dick Shirk
Altar Care – The Vogels
Flowers – Pauline & Charlie Johns
Bulletins – Bill & Pat Vogel
THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S:
Today Noon ACFLB
6:00 pm Contemporary Communion
7:00 pm Food n’ Fellowship
Monday No Praise Band Rehearsal until April 24
7:00 pm Property Committee
Tuesday 7:00 pm Maytown Historical Society
Wednesday 10:00 am Bible Study on John
6:00 pm Final Lenten Supper – chicken & waffles
6:45 pm Junior Choir Practice
7:30 pm Senior Choir Practice
Maundy Thursday
6:15 am Quiet Hour Communion
7:30 pm Holy Communion w/ Altar stripping
Good Friday ALL DAY PRAYER VIGIL
3:00 pm Bell ringing
7:30 pm Tenebrae Service
Holy Saturday 9:00 am Church Decoration
Noon Deadline for Egg/food donations
2:00 pm Parish Egg Hunt
Next Sunday No Catechetics
9:00 am Sunday School
10:30 am Easter Festival Communion
w/Easter Flowers and special music by choirs and soloists