Palm Sunday – the Passion of our Lord – March 29, 2026
THANKS FOR GRACE…
Journey throught Holy Week
Thanks be to God for the opportunity to remember and reflect upon the journey of Jesus from the entry into Jerusalem to the Passover, arrest, trial, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. May this Holy Week bring us a deepening of faith, hope, and joy in the Good News of God’s Love.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE…
Acts of Love Collections
This Lent we are collecting items for agencies which support our neighbors in need. Place items on the cabinets in the front hall.
Collecting for TODAY AND April 5:
Bring in coin collections and any remaining items collected for other weeks AND make Love Fund gifts!
Create in Me and Music Week
Retreats at Lutheridge
Register soon to be included!
Adults, would you like to go to camp? How about Create in Me, April 16-19, a camp focused on creativity and spirituality. How about Music Week, July 5-10, a camp focused on making music! We have members planning to attend these camps! Talk to Jenny Stoddard to learn more about Create in Me! Talk to Tim or Gloria Bockelman to learn more about Music Week. We have scholarship money in the Plan for Mission to help!
Donate a Lily for Easter
To give a lily to adorn the sanctuary on Easter in memory or honor of a loved one, fill out a special envelope found in the narthex, contact the church office, or use the online giving link on the church website. Each lily costs $18. Dedications will be listed in the Easter Sunday bulletin.
Labyrinth Setup and Breakdown
Today, 11:30 am
Wednesday, 7 pm
Help is needed to remove chairs following the later service today and to replace them Wednesday evening following the closing of the labyrinth. If you can help Wednesday, write “Reset Chairs” in the Fellowship Book by your name.
Easter Breakfast Casseroles Needed
For the breakfast between services on Easter Sunday, April 5, we will serve breakfast casseroles. If you are willing to make one, please take a pan from the narthex and put your name on the list next to the pans. You can make any breakfast casserole recipe!
OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW…
CAPA Service Event
Sunday, March 29, 6:30 pm
Dinner and Stealth Egg Hunt
All young adult members and friends are invited to host youth from CAPA for dinner and an after-dark egg hunt. At 6:30 we hide eggs and organize dinner and crafts before the youth arrive at 7.
Contact Pastor Shannon or Kristen Ferguson to volunteer to provide part of dinner.
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 28, 1:30 pm
All children are invited! Egg hunting, story time, crafts, and refreshments. Every child will be given an Easter story book to take home. Invitation cards are in the narthex for members to share with friends and neighbors.
Congregation Meeting and Meal
Sunday, March 29, 11:30 am
We meet to receive the annual report and any other congregation business. A Zoom link will be emailed to the congregation for those who need to attend online.
Everyone is invited to stay for a potluck lunch following the meeting. If you did not bring a dish, plan to eat anyway!
HOLY WEEK & EASTER SCHEDULE
Cards to invite friends are in the narthex.
Prayer Labyrinth
Walking the labyrinth can be deeply prayerful. Many find the slow, winding journey to the labyrinth’s center a time of focusing the heart and mind in God.
+ Monday, March 30, 9 am-5 pm
+ Tuesday, March 31, 9 am-5 pm
+ Wednesday, April 1, 9 am-7 pm
The Three Days
Maundy Thursday, April 2, 7 pm
Good Friday, April 3, 7 pm
The Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 4, 8 pm
The three days of worship (Thursday-Saturday) which lead to Easter are a deep and meaningful journey of reflection through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. These three services form one great time of worship. We invite you to consider experiencing all three – or as many as you are able to attend.
The Festival of the Resurrection
Easter Sunday Worship – April 5
+ 8:15 in-person and livestreamed
+ 9:30-10:15 Easter breakfast
+ 10:30 am in-person
We gather to celebrate the triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ over the power of fear, sin, and death, lifting a loud and joyful Alleluia to God for this gift of new life!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Pastor Shannon & Kami
Thank You Celebration –
Sunday, April 26, Noon
After 20 years of faithful service at St. John’s, Pastor Shannon has announced his retirement. More details about the celebration to follow.
Make a special donation for a thank you gift on or before Sunday, April 19. We encourage you to be generous. Please write “Pastor Shannon” on your envelope or check, or if giving online, choose the option “Pastor Shannon’s Retirement.”
THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR
Today March 22
Palm /Passion Sunday
8:15 am Worship
9:30 am Adult Sunday School
9:30 am Choir Rehearsal
10:30 am Worship
11:30 am Annual Congregation Meeting and Meal
5:00 pm Youth Nights
6:30 pm Young Adult CAPA Egg Hunt
Monday
9am-5pm Prayer Labyrinth
6:00 pm AA – Men’s Group
Tuesday
9am-5pm Prayer Labyrinth
Wednesday
9am-7pm Prayer Labyrinth
7:00 pm Reset Chairs in Sanctuary
Thursday
7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Service
Friday
7:00 pm Good Friday Service
Saturday
9:30 am AA-Into Action Meeting
8:00 pm Easter Vigil Service
Next Sunday April 5
Easter Sunday
8:15 am Worship
9:30 am Easter Breakfast
10:30 am Worship
Church Office Closed
Easter Monday, April 6
