Sunday, March 29, 2009

Holy Week

During Holy Week (April 5 - 12) we will be offering several opportunities for reflection, prayer, fellowship and celebration.

April 5: Palm Sunday worship, 9am. This is an especially good service for children, who will receive a Palm Branch and learn about Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem

April 5: Choral Cantata, 5pm, First United Methodist Church in Amesbury (146 Main St
Amesbury, MA 01913). The Hopeful Cluster of Churches (Byfield Community UMC, East Parish UMC in Salisbury, First UMC in Amesbury, Good Shepherd UMC in Haverhill, Merrimacport UMC and People's UMC in Newburyport) will present Worthy! by Marty Parks. This is a free event, and a wonderful way to kick off Holy Week! A reception and fellowship time will be held after the concert.

April 9: Maunday Thursday service will be held at Merrimacport UMC (39 High Road, the corner of River Rd and High Street, Merrimacport, MA) at 7pm. This service will focus on the Last Supper and Jesus' preparation for the crucifixion

April 10 - 11: A vigil will be held from noon on Good Friday through Saturday night, the time when Jesus was in the tomb. The sanctuary will be draped in black and the church will be open for personal prayer, reflection, reading devotionals and quiet meditation. Sign up for a half hour or longer by calling the church office.

April 12: PUMC's Easter Celebration Service will be held at 9am. There is also an Easter Sunrise Service (~6:00am) held at Carey Park in Merrimacport.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

March 2009

- The Bible Study group is continuing to read The Shack by William P. Young. Their meeting on March 4 at 7pm is at Elaine Falvey's house, 2 Coltin in Newburyport, studying chapters 4-6. The group meets every Wednesday at a member's home.

- We are planning a fellowship potluck brunch after the service on Sunday, March 15. Come join us!

- Church Council is planned for 9:30am, Saturday, March 14.

- March 21, 9:30am, will be a "First Communion" class for children in 3rd grade or older. The students will be encouraged to take their first communion on Maunday Thursday.

Sunday Worship:
March 1 - "Good News" and communion, scripture is Mark 1:9-15
March 8 - "God Almighty", scripture is Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
March 15 - "Holy Foolishness", scripture is I Corinthians 1:18-25
March 22 - "By Grace", scripture is Ephesians 2:4-10
March 29 - "Written in Your Heart", scripture is Jeremiah 31: 31-34