TODAY at Old South Haven Church Presbyterian Church

TODAY at Old South Haven Presbyterian Church, Brookhaven, NY            April 2, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven,

This coming Sunday, Palm Sunday, will be our first attempt to have a virtual service.  On Sunday morning, at 10:00 am, you can click on the link below to join the service or call the number to listen only.

Old South Haven Church is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Palm Sunday Service

Time: Apr 5, 2020 10:00 AM

Join Zoom Meeting via computer

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2425544200

Meeting ID: 242 554 4200

Join by telephone voice only

        +1 646 876 9923 9 (US New York)

        

Please note that we will be doing a virtual communion so you can a piece of bread and a cup of wine or juice available for that part of the service,

On Saturday, Session members will be giving out palms in the church's parking lot from 10:00 to 12 noon.  You will also be able to pick up a Bulletin for the Palm Sunday service.

Pastor Ralph has written a lovely letter to you and I have pasted it below as well as attaching it to this email.

I am looking forward to your participation in our Palm Sunday service!

Love and God Bless!

Linda

From Pastor Ralph

April 2, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven Church

                                           Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, 

                              Heaven and earth are full of your glory.  Hosanna in the highest.

                      Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday…a day of celebration…a day of rejoicing as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey.  With the waving of palm branches it was a parade fit for a king….the King of Kings, our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.  Living some 2000 years after this event we are well aware that the rest of that week was not as joyous as that day.  In fact in many respects it was a disaster…a painful event not only for our Lord, but also for all his followers and friends.

We have come to the end of observing Lent with the joys of Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week.  It is time of prayer, a time of study and a time of reflection on the various events of a week that changed history. This includes Holy Thursday at which time we celebrate the Last Supper and then in the garden the shock of the arrest of Jesus.  Next is Good Friday with the trial and then the crucifixion.  These events brought fear into the lives of the followers of Jesus. The Good News of the week is the triumph of Easter Sunday. This event not only changed the religious world but ultimately governments and cultures of our people. 

Today, as followers of Jesus we too, face pain and suffering and live with a spirit of fear…the fear of the Corona virus which encompasses our entire world. Like the ancient followers of Jesus we too however have the teachings and love of Jesus to overcome these spirits of fear.  With his love we can in our locked down mode reach out to bring peace and support to our neighbors and family members and to the world at large.

Therefore I encourage you to spend time this coming week to follow in the steps of Jesus as he walked through the events of Holy Week. We may not be able to leave our homes and come to church, but we can with the aid of modern communications walk the road of faith together.

I invite you to read in a daily manner the Gospel of Matthew beginning with chapter 21 and follow the events of Holy Week.  If you have more time, read portions of Matthew beginning with Chapter 5 which contains the Sermon on the Mount, and leads one through a number of chapters which deal with the teaching and miracles of Jesus.

For those who are able to come by the church we are placing a table out front by the entrance.  Upon the table will be palm fronds and some literature that may help you observe Palm Sunday.  We also suggest you assemble at home some bread and some beverage that can be shared with one another and in the tradition of Last Supper break the bread and drink the wine in the name of our Savior and Lord.  I, along with some elders of the church, will bless and break bread together at the church on Sunday morning. You can follow the service in the insert in this Sunday's bulletin.

Yes, it is a different world, but our faith will see us through this time of upheaval and fear.  Please reach out to one another by telephone to share the Christian Fellowship we are so used to enjoy.  Please feel free to contact me with your concerns and prayer requests.

Peace,

Pastor Ralph

516-606-7671 (cell)

rbwright1@aol.com