New Philadelphia News Go to dark Gethsemane, Ye who feel the tempter’s power; your Redeemer’s conflict see, watch with him one bitter hour. Turn not from his griefs away; learn of Jesus Christ to pray. Holy Week is one of the most important weeks of the year. Beginning with Palm Sunday and leading up to Easter, those seven days tell the story of the passion of our Lord and Savior. The week allows us to experience Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem; his confrontations with the Pharisees; his teaching the crowds; his Last Supper with his disciples; his prayer and resolve in the garden; his arrest, trial, and crucifixion; his suffering and death on the cross. Holy Week is holy. It is meant to be a time that is “set apart” for reflection and contemplation on the last week of our Savior’s earthly life and the events of his passion. The Moravian church has always placed an emphasis on the importance of this week. Dating back to the days of Count Zinzendorf, the Readings for Holy Week provide us with the the complete scriptural account of Jesus’ last week. It is important to participate in the Holy Week reading services, to set apart time each evening to come to church and reflect upon what our Savior said and did that led him to the cross and grave, that caused him to suffer and die, for us and for our salvation. This year at New Philadelphia, we are hoping to give new life to the sharing of the old, old story as we create a “prayer garden” in our sanctuary. The garden will provide us a place for worship and reflection, for prayer and contemplation as we experience this most holy week. The prayer garden will serve as the setting for our worship, for our prayer, for our contemplations during this holy week. Holy Week this year begins on Palm Sunday, April 9. During our morning worship we will celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior by singing Hosanna,
blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord! Our Holy Week journey will continue as we have reading services each evening, Monday through Friday, beginning at 7 p.m.. We will celebrate Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday and a lovefeast on Good Friday. Please make the effort to set this week, every day of this week, apart from your typical routines and activities so that you may come to the garden and experience holy week. Make it your goal and commitment to journey with Jesus every step of the way.
Lord, I’ll praise thee now and ever, who for me was crucified; for thy agony, dear Savior, for thy wounds and pierced side, for thy love, so tried, unending, for thy death, all deaths transcending. For thy death and love divine, Lord, I’ll be forever thine. Pastor Moore
Palm Sunday Sunday, April 9, 9 a.m. & 11:10 a.m. Holy Week Readings Monday, April 10, 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday Communion, April 13, 7 p.m. Good Friday Lovefeast, April 14, 7 p.m. Easter Worship Sunday, April 16, 10 a.m. (no Sunday School) Parents are asked to gather their children from the nursery prior to the Easter Liturgy so we may all worship together as a complete congregation. Easter Morning Liturgy Sunday, April 16, 11 a.m. (Begins at the front of the church and processes to God’s Acre.) Remember to bring fresh flowers and greenery on Easter morning. A large wooden cross, wrapped in wire, will be in the sanctuary. Come early and arrange your natural spring bouquet on the cross before worship.