Weekly News from WCUMC-4/13/2014

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Teachings from the Cross.  A Sermon Series for Lent.

“From Hosanna …to Agony and Distress”

Palm Sunday - April 13, 2014

Matthew 21:1-11

When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave two disciples a task. He said to them, "Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to me.  If anybody says anything to you, say that the Lord needs it." He sent them off right away. Now this happened to fulfill what the prophet said, Say to Daughter Zion," Look, your king is coming to you, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a colt the donkey's offspring." The disciples went and did just as Jesus had ordered

them. They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them. Then he sat on them. Now a large crowd spread their clothes on the road. Others cut palm branches off the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds in front of him and behind him shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. "Who is this?" they asked. The crowds answered, "It's the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee."

The crowd was excited about all the miracles and what they expected of a Messiah…

But Jesus was and is not a “conquering king” as the world would define it.  He’s a King who came to serve and sacrifice.

He took our place and bore the agony and distress that we deserved because of our sins.

John 19:28-29

After this, knowing that everything was already completed, in order to fulfill the scripture, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar full of sour wine was nearby, so the soldiers soaked a sponge in it, placed it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips.” 

The bitter vinegar given to Jesus was a fulfillment of prophecy…

Psalm 69:18-21

Come close to me! Redeem me! Save me because of my enemies! You know full well the insults I've received; you know my shame and my disgrace. All my adversaries are right there in front of you. Insults have broken my heart. I'm sick about it. I hoped for sympathy, but there wasn't any; I hoped for comforters, but couldn't find any. They gave me poison for food. To quench my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 

Jesus endured pain and distress for us.  He suffered a physical and spiritual thirst, so that we could have the Living Water of Eternal Life.

John 4:13-14

"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks from the water that I will give will never be thirsty again. The water that I give will become in those who drink it a

spring of water that bubbles up into eternal life."

Questions for Personal or Group Reflection

1.    In Matthew 21, what kind of Kingdom and King were the people expecting?  How was Jesus different than what they had looked for?2.    Consider how you would have reacted to Jesus riding into town on a donkey that day.3.    Try to imagine the kind of distress Jesus experienced as He Hung on the Cross.   What images or feelings come to your mind?4.    What kind of distress are you experiencing in your life right now?  5.    How does God use this distress to lead you closer to Him?6.    Reflect on what it means to be drinking from Living Water?

Next Week’s Easter Message  – “Triumph” – John 19:30 and John 20:1-18

THIS WEEK AT WCUMC

Sunday - 4/13 - Palm Sunday

Evening Prayer, 5:30 PM, Prayer Room Young Families Group, 6:30 - 8:00 PM, Memorial Room

Monday - 4/14

Talk Time, 7:00 PM, Rooms 10 & 11 Men of Integrity, 7:00 PM, Memorial Room

Tuesday - 4/15

Men's Bible Study, 9:45 - 11:30 AM, Room 10

Sewing Group, 6:00 PM, Memorial Room Finance Meeting, 7:00 PM. Room 11

Wednesday - 4/16

Wed. Women's Bible Study, 10:00 - 11:30 AM, Room 10 Lenten Study, 6:00 - 7:15 PM, Celebration Hall Choir Practice,  7:15 - 8:30 PM, Sanctuary

Thursday - 4/17Friday - 4/18

Good Friday Service, 7:30 PM, Sanctuary

Saturday - 4/19

Men's Group Study, 7:30 AM. Celebration Hall

Sunday - 4/20 - Easter Sunday

Sonrise Service, 7:00 AM No Adult Sunday School Classes Nursery Care is available in the Children’s Wing during

worship 10:30 AM Resurrection Worship Service Evening Prayer, 5:30 PM, Prayer Room

PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICEApril 13 at 10:30 AM

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICEApril 18 at 7:30 PM

In the Sanctuary with New Life Christian Fellowship, NorthCreek Church, and Bear Creek Community Church

EASTER MORNING "SONRISE" SERVICEApril 20 at 7:00 AM

RESURRECTION SERVICEApril 20 at 10:30 AM with New Life Christian Fellowship

 Wednesday, 6:00 PMMeal - Video - Small Group Discussion

This seven-session, video-based study explores the last words of Christ from the Holy Land locations where they were spoken  A meal will be served at 6:00 PM, before each session.

4th Annual Great CommunityEgg Hunt

Sunday, April 131:00 PM  -  Woodinville Fields (rain or shine)

The Great Community Egg Hunt is sponsored by four Christian churches in Woodinville that want to make Woodinville a great place to eat, shop, and live! This is a fun and free event that will include face painting, candy, Easter bunnies, inflatables, a Fire truck, and 30,000 eggs.

Volunteers still needed! Come and help if you can.

Adopt-a-GardenCan you keep our church yard looking beautiful?  Sign up in the foyer to adopt a small garden area that you will keep weed-free during the growing season.  Individuals and families of all ages are invited to participate.

STOREHOUSE NEEDS THIS WEEK

Cereal Canned Chili Peanut Butter

Financial Snapshot

General FundIncome, wk ending 4/06/14                                        $ 18,801

   Income, weekly avg, year-to-date                                $ 11,013Expenses, weekly avg, year-to-date                              $  9,4962014 weekly budgeted expenses                                   $  9,896

Faith PromiseTotal Faith Promises pledged, 2013 - 14                         $ 90,560Faith Promise Beginning Balance                                   $ 12,439

Received 11/1/13 - 4/06/14                                        $ 45,011Disbursed  11/1/13 - 4/06/14                                      $ 42,228

Prayer Chain RequestsPrayer Chain requests call Barbara Clark 425-483-3885. After 6:00 PM call Mary Harvey at 425-827-2883 or call the church at 425-483-5252 during office hours.

We hope to see you in church this Sunday and God Bless.

Have a great week!

This newsletter is published by Woodinville Community United Methodist Church for our members, friends and all who love Jesus.  Our vision is "To Share the Transforming Love of Jesus Christ Across the Street and Around the World".  If you are looking for a church home with loving, devoted followers of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we invite you to attend our Sunday Worship Service at 10:30 each Sunday. We are located at 17110 140th Ave NE, Woodinville, WA  98072.   Learn more at www.wcumc.org .