Religion

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Written by: Lake County News Reports

Published: 24 March 2010

A beautiful stained glass window in St. John's Church in Lakeport, which was sonsecrated in 1899 as a memorial for 5-year-old John Pierre Collier, son of Captain William and Mary Blackwood Collier, who perished in a fire at Clear Lake in 1896. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – On Sunday, March 28, Christians around the world will commence Holy Week with the observance of Palm Sunday, commemorating Christ’s triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem, with rites that trace their origin to the Fourth Century.

At 10 a.m., the congregation of St. John’s Church, 1190 N. Forbes St., Lakeport, will begin this annual commemoration with the blessing of palm branches on the terrace in front of the parish hall and then process into the 110-year-old landmark church to the familiar strains of the hymn, “All Glory, Laud and Honor.”

Once inside the church, the mood of the service will shift from triumphant to somber with the retelling of the Passion of Christ according to St. Luke, in which the congregation will take an active part.

Fr. Leo M. Joseph O.S.F. will then offer a reflection on the Passion as a means to inspire people today to compassion for the continuing suffering of Christ in the persons of those who are enduring hunger, homelessness, torture, sickness and death in our present world. The passion and death of Jesus will then be relived sacramentally with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, often called the Mass.

Maundy Thursday service will begin at 5:30 p.m., April 1, at St. John’s, with a Mass to commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus and his apostles.

The name “maundy” comes from the Latin word “mundatum” which begins the teaching of Jesus at the Last Supper: “A new commandment I give you that you love one another.”

Fr. Leo will then consecrate the bread and wine as the Body and Blood of Christ, following Jesus’ command to “Do this in remembrance of me.”

The service will conclude with the stripping of the altar, with the removal of all the altar cloths and ornaments from the sanctuary to symbolize the arrest of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.

At noon on April 2, St. John’s will host the annual Lake County Ecumenical Good Friday Service, which will be led by clergy from several local congregations. This service will include the reading of the Passion according to St. Mark, interspersed with the singing of familiar Good Friday hymns, prayers and reflections.

That evening at 5:30 p.m., the traditional Good Friday Service according to the Book of Common Prayer will be celebrated at St. John’s, which will begin with the reading of the Passion according to St. John, followed by the Solemn Prayers, the Veneration of the Cross, and the reception of Holy Communion. These beautiful rites are observed very much the same as they have been since Christian antiquity.

Holy Week culminates with the Festal Mass of Easter Sunday at 10 a.m. on April 4, celebrating Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

St. John’s Church, the presence and ministry of the Episcopal Church in Lake County since 1877, is grateful to be able to offer these traditional Holy Week Services to those who are looking for a prayerful and spiritual way to participate these transformative events that make present God’s infinite love.

All baptized Christians, who are at peace with God and their fellow human beings, are invited to receive Holy Communion at our altar, regardless of marital status, gender orientation or church affiliation.

For further information please call Fr. Leo Joseph at 707-349-6563.

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Written by: Editor

Published: 23 March 2010

Teens will be able to continue taking part in the Teen Thursday Youth Program, which has been extended past March by the Middletown Methodist Church Council. Courtesy photo.

MIDDLETOWN – The Middletown Methodist Church Council has voted to extend their Teen Thursday Youth Program beyond March.

“We are thrilled that the council voted to provide funds to continue our youth program which was initially limited to the four Thursdays in March,”said Pastor Voris Brumfield. “The first week saw nine youngsters attending and the last two Thursdays we have had 14 participants each day.”

Brumfield said they will not meet on April 1 and will resume after Easter on April 8 with new hours from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

A kid-friendly dinner is served along with videos, discussion groups, crafts and music for children ages 8 through 15.

The Saturday program for younger children ages 5 through 9 is held on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Breakfast is served and kids have optional videos, crafts, dance and music to choose from. Egg decorating will be featured at the April 3 event.

The Middletown Community United Methodist Church is located at 11581 Armstrong St. in Middletown where they practice “Open Hearts, Open Doors and Open Minds.”

Call 707-295-7174 for more information.

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Written by: Editor

Published: 10 March 2010

KELSEYVILLE – This Sunday, Galilee Lutheran Church members will lead the 10 a.m. service, the theme for which will be, “Clowning Around With Discipleship.”

The service will deal with Jesus' statement to “sell what you have, give all to the poor, and come, follow me.”

Galilee Lutheran practices open communion and communion is offered every Sunday. Refreshments will be served after the service. They welcome everyone to join them.

Sunday school will be held at 9 a.m. for the children. Adult bible study also is at 9 a.m. and will be repeated at 11:30 a.m. with a continuation of the video “The New Testament” followed by discussion.

Lenten services will continue each Wednesday at 7 p.m. through March 24. The theme of the Lenten services is prayer and looking at different ways to do it. The community is invited to join the church for these special services.

The church practices open communion. Everyone is welcome to come and receive communion.

Galilee Lutheran Church is located at 8860 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.