We gather for a Worship Service on this Sunday, March 17th, 2024, Fifth Sunday in Lent in person at the Chapel (2700 W 14th Street) at 11:00 a.m.

Sunday is also St. Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, lit. ‘the Day of the Festival of Patrick’), a religious and cultural holiday held on March 17th each year. St. Patrick is one of the patron saints of Ireland. Patrick is closely associated with the growth of Christianity throughout Ireland, the rise of Celtic styles of Christianity, and the famous shamrock (a three-leaf plant symbolizing the Trinity). Happy St. Patrick’s Day to those celebrating.

To join us at the Chapel, buzz Zion Church (Bob Bucklew) from the Directory at the front of the 2700 Building on the campus of San Sofia apartments or enter from the accessible ramp from the rear parking lot. When you arrive, call Bob at 216-375-5323 to open the parking lot gate.

The Sunday Bulletin is attached in PDF format. You may use it as a devotional during the week.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Palm and Passion Sunday, Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter Sunday

Sunday, March 24th – Palm Sunday (Blessing of the Palms) and the beginning of the Holy Week of the Passion of Christ is a week away.

Friday, March 29th, 7:30pm – The Good Friday Tenebrae Service (Service of Shadows) “Tenebrae” is the Latin word meaning “darkness.” For Protestants, this single service is typically held at night on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. Our service on Good Friday evening (March 29th, 2024) has three main parts:

• A Service of Light – based on the traditional Vespers service in which we recognize Christ our Light
• A Lenten Candle Liturgy – a meditation (which is not printed in the bulletin) from Lenten Candle Liturgy contributed by Jeanyne Slettom, 2015. processandfaith.org; a candle is extinguished, followed by a unison prayer; singing one verse of the hymn – “Just As I Am”
• A Service of Shadows – Tenebrae–in which we meditate on the Passion of Christ and experience in dramatic form the extinguishing of the Light. After each reading, one of the candles will be extinguished. Members of the congregation may extinguish their own candles (lit during the service of light) at any time during the readings. At the conclusion of the reading telling of Christ’s death on the cross, the Christ candle is extinguished. A loud noise is made to signify Christ’s death. After a pause, the Christ candle is relit to stand as a symbolic promise of the resurrection. At the end of the readings, the chapel should be completely dark, except for one remaining Christ candle. Worshipers leave in silence to ponder the impact of Christ’s death and await the celebration of the coming Resurrection

Sunday, March 31st, 11am – EASTER  A festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and our new life in the reign of God

Sunday, March 31st following worship – Easter Brunch  You may bring a dish to share (optional) – but join us for a meal of celebration and community!

The Focus Scripture Readings is John 12:20-33

When some Greeks/Gentiles come to see Jesus in these verses in John 12, he knew the time had come to prepare for his death. He told those who wished to follow him that they must follow and serve him. Those who loved their life would lose it. Those who would hate their life in this world would keep it for eternal life. For a grain of wheat must fall to the earth and die in order to bear fruit. Jesus was troubled by what was to happen, but knew it must happen. Jesus knew that after his death, when he was lifted up, all kinds of people, including Greeks and other Gentiles, would be drawn to him, and seemed to recognize that the hour was at hand when Greeks were drawing close to the disciples and wanted to see him. Those around him did not understand, and thought he was speaking to an angel as he spoke about his time to be glorified. The writer of the Gospel of John’s view is that Jesus spoke plainly, but the people around him did not get it. Jesus made it obvious, in John’s account, that he was the Messiah sent by God, but others refused to recognize him as the Messiah.

Sermon/Reflection: “The Cross: Compelling and Mysterious” by the Rev. Scott Rosenstein, based on the reading of John 12:20-33.

Please join us this Lenten season to give thanks to God and to seek the companionship of Christ in-person at Zion Chapel.

Lenten Blessings,
Pastor Scott Rosenstein
216-273-7561 – church
216-577-1514 – mobile

Bulletin Cover Image:
Jesus on Cross Art, John 12:32
Church bulletin covers and other art by artist Stushie
(a Scottish pastor ministering in East Tennessee)
Unique crayon and digital worship art
https://stushieart.com/this-sundays-lectionary art 5B/Lent