May the Lord bless us this Holy week

Friends in Christ,    We recently passed one year since shelter in place in the Bay Area. When I first heard one of those "one year ago today" stories it threw me off. I thought that couldn't be right. It hasn't been a year, has it? It didn't seem right because after a year I thought we'd be done with this pandemic. I guess I was wrong.   Last Easter we had to worship by alternate means, because we couldn't gather in the sanctuary. I thought for certain 2021 would look different. It does look different, but we're not back to "normal" yet. Still, we will continue to care for one another. I will have an extra mailing with resources for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Next week, I'll send a mailer for Easter worship as well. In addition, those who are able to join us are invited to gather in the sanctuary for worship at the following times.    Maundy Thursday (April 1)        6:00pm Good Friday (April 2)                   6:00pm           Easter Sunday (April 4)               8:00am & 10:00am   May the Lord bless us this Holy Week as we journey together to the streets of Jerusalem, the upper room, the garden, the courts, the cross, and finally the empty tomb.   Jesus, I will ponder now on Your holy passion: With Your Spirit me endow for such meditation. Grant that I in love and faith may the image cherish Of Your suffering, pain, and death that I may not perish. (Lutheran Service Book 440) Here for you, Matt Behrens, Pastor Worship Worship This Sunday We will gather in the sanctuary for worship this Sunday at 9:00am. For those who are unable to join us (or if you would like a paper copy of our worship), there is a print-ready worship service provided at the link below. Home Worship - printable Holy Week Services We will have worship in the sanctuary for our Holy Week and Easter Sunday services. The elders have set 2 worship times for Easter Sunday anticipating more guests than usual. We are doing this in order to keep our numbers below what is allowed for indoor gatherings during this covid season. This means we have ample room for you to invite friends and family members. Maundy Thursday - 6:00pm, April 1 Good Friday  - 6:00pm, April 2 Easter Sunday - 8:00am and 10:00am, April 4 Other News Christ in the Passover There are deep connections between the ancient Jewish feast of Passover and the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples. You can attend a seder, or Passover meal, which will introduce you to these connections in an online format. Jews for Jesus is hosting this opportunity several times and days in the coming weeks. Follow the link to learn more and sign up. Jews for Jesus Dear friends in Christ, Thank you so very much for your faithful and continued partnership with LINC Bay Area. Your prayers, encouragement, financial support and office space are God-sent. You are making a difference! I look forward to our continued work together praying that the Lord's Word will continue to go out and transform people's lives in Jesus. Peace and protection in Him, Pastor Aaron   Can You Help? Jan Curler and Margie Luehrs are looking for some help with altar guild responsibilities. If you can help on a rotating basis, please contact Margie (510-852-3059) or Jan (510-506-2581). This group takes care of the flowers, candles, and altar dressings for each worship time. Small Groups at Calvary The Truth Project The Truth Project study group meets in-person following Sunday worship. Videos and discussion will take place in the sanctuary immediately following worship. If you have questions, feel free to contact Dave Schultz by email or phone (510-507-5634) Women's Bible Study This daytime group centers on connections with sisters in faith and connection to God's Word. The current study is focused on the book of Nehemiah. This group meets Mondays at 3:00pm on Zoom. Click here for the Zoom link.  (You shouldn't need this with the link above, but the Zoom password is slz.) The Alpha Course Alpha is a conversation about faith for people with honest questions, doubts, and curiosity. It's a great place to explore the Christian faith, or ask questions you've always carried. Our current Alpha meets Thursdays at 8:00pm on Zoom. Register here, and you'll be sent the link and other info. Received this By Forward? Want to Sign Up? If you received this email from a friend and you want to be added to Calvary's email list, use the link below. Welcome, friend!   Sign-Up for Emails Copyright © 2021 Calvary Lutheran Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Calvary Lutheran Church 17200 Via Magdalena San Lorenzo, CA 94580-2928 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

The Barren Cross

The Barren Cross   Friends in Christ, This week I'd like to share a poem written by one of our Calvary members, Patricia Ahnstrom. I'm grateful she's been sharing some of her lines with me, and I asked if I could share this poem with you as well. It's fitting for this season as we approach the events of Holy Week, Good Friday, and eventually Easter morning.   The Barren Cross – Patricia Ahnstrom Tis Jesus hanging on a tree "My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me." The agony of sin, for man I bear And no one really seems to care. I've loved and healed, I raise the dead Lived through trials, suffered the dread, Of what I know would lie ahead A crown of thorns upon My head. The people mock, they cheer in glee Let's see if God will now help Thee. "I thirst." My life is almost gone And yet My Spirit will live on. The barren cross upon a hill No more cries, the earth is still. Christ's Words still echo, a love so true, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Here for you, Matt Behrens, Pastor Worship Worship This Sunday We will gather in the sanctuary for worship this Sunday at 9:00am. For those who are unable to join us (or if you would like a paper copy of our worship), there is a print-ready worship service provided at the link below. Home Worship - printable Wednesday Lenten Devotion Lenten Devotions happen twice each Wednesday. You can join brothers and sisters for prayer and reflection on God's Word at 3:00pm in the sanctuary or at 6:00pm on Zoom. These devotional services last about 30 minutes. Use the link below to join the Zoom devotions. Wednesday Devotions on Zoom Holy Week Services We will have worship in the sanctuary for our Holy Week and Easter Sunday services. The elders have set 2 worship times for Easter Sunday anticipating more guests than usual. We are doing this in order to keep our numbers below what is allowed for indoor gatherings during this covid season. This means we have ample room for you to invite friends and family members. Maundy Thursday - 6:00pm, April 1 Good Friday  - 6:00pm, April 2 Easter Sunday - 8:00am and 10:00am, April 4 Other News Christ in the Passover There are deep connections between the ancient Jewish feast of Passover and the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples. You can attend a seder, or Passover meal, which will introduce you to these connections in an online format. Jews for Jesus is hosting this opportunity several times and days in the coming weeks. Follow the link to learn more and sign up. Jews for Jesus Can You Help? Jan Curler and Margie Luehrs are looking for some help with altar guild responsibilities. If you can help on a rotating basis, please contact Margie (510-852-3059) or Jan (510-506-2581). This group takes care of the flowers, candles, and altar dressings for each worship time. Small Groups at Calvary The Truth Project The Truth Project study group meets in-person following Sunday worship. Videos and discussion will take place in the sanctuary immediately following worship. If you have questions, feel free to contact Dave Schultz by email or phone (510-507-5634) Women's Bible Study This daytime group centers on connections with sisters in faith and connection to God's Word. The current study is focused on the book of Nehemiah. This group meets Mondays at 3:00pm on Zoom. Click here for the Zoom link.  (You shouldn't need this with the link above, but the Zoom password is slz.) The Alpha Course Alpha is a conversation about faith for people with honest questions, doubts, and curiosity. It's a great place to explore the Christian faith, or ask questions you've always carried. Our current Alpha meets Thursdays at 8:00pm on Zoom. Register here, and you'll be sent the link and other info. Received this By Forward? Want to Sign Up? If you received this email from a friend and you want to be added to Calvary's email list, use the link below. Welcome, friend!   Sign-Up for Emails Copyright © 2021 Calvary Lutheran Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Calvary Lutheran Church 17200 Via Magdalena San Lorenzo, CA 94580-2928 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.