Announcements

HOLY WEEK SERVICES - EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Palm Sunday Worship
Join us on Sunday, April 2nd at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, mentioned in each of the four Gospels. Jesus entered the city knowing He would be tried and crucified and welcomed His fate to rise from the grave and save us from sin!

This day is observed with the blessing and sharing of palm branches symbolizing the branches placed in front of Christ as he enters Jerusalem.

Maundy Thursday Service
Join us Thursday evening on April 6th at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary.

Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter when Jesus celebrated his final Passover with His disciples. It was on the Thursday of Christ's final week before being crucified and resurrected that He said this commandment to His disciples. Jesus and his disciples had just shared what was known as the Last Supper and he was washing their feet when he stated:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34).

Good Friday Service
Worship begins on Friday, April 7 at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary

Good Friday, or Holy Friday, proclaims God's purpose of loving and redeeming the world even in the face of human rejection and cruelty through the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is a day that is holy and makes us holy because God was drawing the world to God's self in Christ.

Easter Sunday Worship
Join us Sunday, April 9th at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary

Easter is the most joyous and celebrative season of the Christian year. We celebrate the good news that in Christ's death and resurrection we, and all creation, are continually being made new by God's love and saving grace.

BREAD AND SPIRIT

Those who worshiped on Beacon Street for many years remember Bread and Broth. Those who worshiped on Water Street remember the days of Soup and Spirit. Now, Beacon of Hope has Bread and Spirit. This is a weekly Wednesday evening gathering of the people who will share a simple repast of soup and bread, and a meditation related to their Lenten journey.

This year, the theme of the meditations will be Lent in Plain Sight: A Devotion through Ten Objects, by Jill J. Duffield (although we will only cover 5 objects since we will not meet throughout Holy Week). The premise of this series of meditations is this: "God works through the ordinary. Ordinary people, everyday objects, things we bump up against moment by moment." We will look at how to see God in the following item:

3/29 - Oil

So please join us on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 PM, for soup & bread and meditation with discussion. The meditation portion will be 30 minutes at the most.

Of course, to make this happen, we will need volunteers to bring soup and bread each week. If you are willing and able to do so, please see Bonnie-jean Rowe or email her at (bjmrowe@verizon.net) to sign up for a week or two - or there is a sign-up sheet in the parlor.

Hope to see you there!

SAVE THE DATE

Sunday, April 2
10:00 AM, Palm Sunday Worship

Thursday, April 6
7:00 PM, Maundy Thursday Service

Friday, March April 7
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Faith in Food
7:00 PM, Good Friday Service

Sunday, April 9
10:00 AM, Easter Sunday Worship

Monday, April 17
7:00 PM, Trustee/Finance Meeting

Thursday, April 20
7:00 PM, Worship Committee Meets

Friday, April 24
7:00 PM, Church Council

Wednesday Evening Study

Join us Wednesday evenings for an inspiring bible study on zoom, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
We look forward to seeing you.

FAITH IN FOOD COLLABORATIVE

Faith in Food is a ministry of Beacon of Hope United Methodist Church in Framingham, providing food, toiletries, paper goods, and cleaning supplies to those in need north of Rte. 9. The First United Methodist Church fellowship hall (360 Water Street, Framingham) is open on Fridays from 4:00-6:00 pm.

We are a 501C3 (nonprofit). Monetary donations will be accepted for use in purchasing needed items. Make checks payable to First U.M.C. (note Faith in Food) 360 Water St. Framingham, Ma 01701.

Like us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/groups/877849319449859.

Faith in Food Needs the Following Items
This week's list is:

• Peanut Butter
• Jelly
• Black beans
• Rice (1 or 2 lb. bags)
• Spaghetti
• Cereals
• Juices
• Corn oil
• sugar
• flour
• Monetary donations (preferred)

Dropoff bins are located outside the Hall door.
They are checked on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Faith in Food is open on the 1st and 3rd Fridays, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, in the Beacon of Hope UMC Fellowship Hall.

• 3/02, Donald Williams
• 3/13, John Carlson
• 3/15, George Shaw
• 3/20, Wesley McIntyre
• 3/22, Abby Conant
• 3/22, Gracie Conant
• 3/22, Scott Rundlet
• 3/30, Lin Olsen
• 3/31, Edmond Barton

COVID UPDATE

Due to the current rise and spread of the Delta variant, we are asking everyone to return to mask-wearing in the church building. Not only can this variant breakthrough vaccines, but as Christians, we hold strongly to protecting the most vulnerable. Our children cannot receive the vaccine yet, and we can never know everyone's health issues.

We stand on the side of caution because we have been taught about love by Jesus and about sharing that love by caring for each other. We pray for the day when we can see the end of the pandemic.

Congregational singing is welcomed for Sunday worship services, but those who sing must remain masked.

We will continue to be careful and provide cleaning and hand sanitizer wipes.