Holy Week Events with RFUMC

Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church The Weekly Newsletter A Message from Pastor Erin Without a building in which to gather, without the ability to safely deliver a palms to deliver to each of your doorsteps, we have to be creative this Palm Sunday and all upcoming Holy Week events. Palm Sunday is the remembrance of Jesus's entrance into Jerusalem, the city where he knew he would be put to death. He enters the city gates knowing it is going to get worse before it gets better. The story is a strange remembrance, an activity in which the Church usually asks children to wave leaves while the choir shouts, "Hosanna!" The Savior of the world is coming. How do we demonstrate such bravery while walking towards death? Is it right to do something so strange during these very strange times? Yes, indeed. Maybe now more than ever it is important to remind ourselves that Jesus felt this, too. It is going to get worse before it gets better. And so we do what we have always done, but we do it with a little more ingenuity and a lot of heart. For Sunday, please come prepared to wave whatever you have with you. You can print out a palm leaf here, cut it out, color it and demonstrate your remembrance. You can make your own palm leaf using paint or paper or whatever you have around the house (like this one or this one!). Take time to lovingly craft something. Afterwards, we will hang them in our windows to demonstrate the strange and historic way Jesus reminded us it will get worse before it gets better. And that Jesus changes everything. Jesus makes all things new.  We will meet with our homemade palms for Sunday worship at 10:30 AM on Zoom. You can find the link and EVEN MORE information below.  Oh yeah! And Communion? We will do communion this week! How did Jesus celebrate the first communion? He used the elements right before him, taking something familiar and giving it new meaning. We will do the same. So get a cup of something from your fridge. Grab something like bread or a cracker. And let's remember the bread and cup together in this new ways. ALL THE OH-SO-MANY THINGS! Maundy Thursday. The Jesus commands his disciples to love one another. The act of love is a much needed thing during our present time. Spend an hour with your RFUMC folks reflecting how we love and serve one another when the world needs love more than ever. Worship online at 7 PM on Thursday at this link or call in at 312-626-6799 (Meeting ID 524 677 198). Good Friday Meditation Service. Good Friday commemorates Jesus's final hours, his suffering, and his death. We will read through the somber story to make space for death and grief before we remember resurrection. Join the Zoom meditation service on Friday at 7 PM at this link or call in at 312-626-6799 (Meeting ID 555 575 141). Young Adult Virtual Happy Hour. Calling all 20-30-somethings! Tired after a long day of staring at screen? Join us for another hour of staring at a screen but this time with a delicious drink in your hand and good company. Log on and hang out with your fellow RFUMC young adults. This week. TBD. NEW! Crafting for RFUMC. Join for a 45 min. craft-centric Zoom meeting. Show and share what you are working on. Flower arrangement? Crochet? Knitting? Appliqué? Or your favorite chocolate cake? We would love to see and hear what you are working on. To sing up send Yuko Darcy your email address. Time and day? TDB. Walking Group. Every week people walk together in our church gym for health and community. But while our building in closed the Walking Group takes their community online. And maybe now you can join their Zoom call to check in, support one another, and pray for each other. 8:30 AM on Wednesdays and Fridays. Go to this link here or dial in at 312-626-6799 (Meeting ID: 771 188 446). Giving Online. You can still support the ministry of RFUMC and now do it easily online! Your financial support helps us transform lives and make disciples of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Go to our PayPal page here  or click on the button below to share your gift. PayPal is a secure money service that allows us to receive your generous donation. Book Club. Like all the things, our book club reading Real Good Church goes online for public health reasons. Log on to the Zoom call at 9 AM using this link or by calling in at 1-312-626-6799 (meeting ID: 419 903 839) on Saturday, March 21 at 9 AM. Read Chapters 8 & 9. Didn't read? Still join! Young People's Bible Study. Ages 12-18 are invited to join the Zoom discussion of Jesus stories at 9 AM on Sunday mornings. Join the Zoom call here and download the verses for discussion here. Give on PayPal Watch last week's worship here. Worship looks a little Different The Governor of Illinois extended the stay at home order through the end of April. In accordance with this order and our Christian belief to care for our neighbors's health by staying home, we will continue our Zoom worship for the next several Sundays. Below are some continued learnings for helping you grow confident and participate in our worship experience. And please remember, our building is closed! Want to chat in Zoom? Read this article to learn how. Want prayer? During our Prayers of the People, we will read your prayer requests. Submit your prayer requests here.  Worship. Join Zoom worship by going to this link at 10:30 AM on Sunday:https://zoom.us/j/806489040. Or call in at 1-312-626-6799 (Meeting ID: 806 489 040).  Having trouble? Try logging off and logging back on to Zoom during the video. Or simply log off and call in.  Our mailing address is: 4511 North Hermitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60640 Contact us at: ravfelumc@yahoo.com (773) 561-2610 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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