On the road to the cross...

Holy Week worship takes us through the last events of Jesus' life: his triumphal entry into Jerusalem; the Last Supper he shares with his closes friends; and finally his arrest, trial, and death. Following the biblical narrative, we experience the joy, fear, hope, and grief of Jesus' story-- the story that is the foundation of our Christian faith. 

Each year, each retelling, gives us the opportunity to engage in new ways. We may notice, for the first time, the political implications of Jesus' ministry. If you've experienced a difficult loss, the pain of death might strike harder than ever before. You may find yourself stuck in the Garden, praying "thy will be done," or cheering along with the crowd, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

Where does the story meet you this year? 

Teaching the story to children

Even though it is in the Bible, the Holy Week story is not pleasant. There are many elements that, if shown or embellished, are not appropriate for young children (see Mel Gibson's The Passion of Christ, rated R).  How can we best include children in Holy Week? How do we pass on this story in an age-appropriate yet meaningful way?

Author Traci Smith suggests several ideas in her 2018 article on this topic:

• Stick to simple facts about the story. For example, say that Jesus died and was placed in the tomb, without lingering on the violence and torture.
• Avoid violent images and symbols when choosing books, crafts, and other teaching materials for your children.  As Smith names, we would never let a five-year-old color a picture of a man being whipped, but we do it in the context of Holy Week. This is unnecessary and inappropriate for their age.
• Be at peace with not telling the whole story. Each year, as they get older, new details may be uncovered. Important lessons, such as God being with us when we are lonely or hurt, do not require getting into the gory details. 

If you have any questions about the teaching materials used at Glen Cary, please talk to Carrie Stiles or Pastor Kristina Hill. 

​New this year!
Palm Sunday fundraiser to benefit students in need

As part of our Family Worship on Palm Sunday, we will be hosting a Family Fun Run and Walk to raise money for The Sheridan Story, a local nonprofit that provides weekend food bags for children and families who suffer from food insecurity. 

Participants are invited to ask for donations from family and friends as they prepare for the run. Our goal is to raise $1000, which is enough to support five kids for an entire year. 

There will be treats, activities, and worship following the event. We will hear the story of Jesus' procession into Jerusalem and sing our "hosannas!" All ages are welcome to come and participate or encourage others.