March 16th, 2016

Holy Week

Holy Week is the celebration of Jesus' last week of life. On Palm Sunday, a week before Easter, we celebrate Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem as the crowds waved palm branches to honor him on his way. Later in the week, we celebrate Maundy Thursday when Jesus shared one last meal with his disciples and gave them a new commandment to follow (the Latin word for commandment is mandatum, where we get the name Maundy). The following day, Good Friday, is when we remember Jesus' death upon the cross and burial; while it may not seem a good day, it is a part the good news of Jesus' loving sacrifice for us. Easter Sunday is a joyful day in which we celebrate Jesus' Resurrection and the promise of new life from his triumph over death.

Over the next week, we have several opportunities to worship and remember the life, death, and joyful resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Palm Sunday, March 20, 9:30 am
In our regular worship service, join in as the children lead us in praise waving palm branches in honor of Jesus!

Maundy Thursday, March 24, 7 pm
Join us for a special service of footwashing, communion, and hearing Jesus' final words to his disciples and to us.

Good Friday, March 25, 12 noon 
Bring a chair and come out to Bradburn Park on the South River to hear the story of Jesus' crucifixion and reflect on God's grace.

Easter Sunrise, March 27, 7 am
Join your brothers and sisters from Port Church and Grottoes UMC as we sing praise and watch the sunrise from Bradburn Park! Muffins and coffee will be served to keep us warm! Please park at the church if you are able so that we can reserve parking at the park for our elderly and handicapped guests.

Easter Sunday, March 27, 9:30
Alleluia! The Lord is risen! Join us for singing, joyful praise, and celebrating that our Savior lives! An Easter Egg Hunt will also be held for children at 11:30 during our Sunday School time, so bring your kids, grandkids, and neighbors!

I hope you will join us throughout the week! Blessings on the journey, Jim

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Wilderness: Giving Up

​Last Sunday's Sermon Snippet:
Giving Up (1 Kings 19:1-8)
Elijah had won such a victory over the prophets of Ba'al and had called for the return of the rain after long years of drought, but the joy of triumph did not last long. As soon as King Ahab told Queen Jezebel about what Elijah had done, she vowed to kill him in vengeance. Elijah fled as fast as he could over a hundred miles to Beersheba, a town on the edge of the wilderness - the Negev. Leaving his servant there, he wandered for another day into the wilderness and collapsed under a broom tree. He was ready to give up - it was all more than he could take. How could he ever end this constant persecution? He could hide for a while and then face another battle, possibly even win it. But what then? There would always be someone like Jezebel to persecute God's faithful. So Elijah gave up on his calling, gave up on God, and prayed for God to let him die there. Although he had given up on God, God had not given up on him. God sent an angel to feed and give drink to Elijah. The angel awoke him with a tender touch once and then again to encourage him to eat. The second time, the angel pointed him toward a future and a hope - a journey to be made to God's holy mountain three hundred miles away. Elijah ate and regained enough strength for the long journey - forty days, three hundred miles - to meet his God! There are times when we all, like Elijah, feel like giving up. When we give up on God, God never gives up on us!

​Looking Ahead
Elijah made the long journey to Horeb - God's holy mountain - and sought shelter in a cave. There he would meet God and be sent out from the wilderness. Join us this Sunday as we reach "Journey's End"!

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Living in Community

Congratulations to Jordan and the Spotswood Girls Basketball Team
on their state championship!

This Week at Port Church

Wednesday, March 16
9:30 am - 2:00 pm - Office Hours
6:00 pm - Wednesday at the Port

Thursday, March 17
9:30 am - 12:00 noon - Office Hours

Friday, March 18
6:15 - 8:30 pm - CPR & AED Class at Weaver's Karate
Preregistration required - contact Dinah for more details.

Sunday, March 20
9:30 am - Worship Service
"Wilderness: Journey's End"
11:00 am - Sunday School
6:00 pm - Confirmation Class at Ciro's​​

Looking Ahead

Last Week for Wednesday at the Port Spring Session - March 23
Maundy Thursday Service - March 24, 7 pm
Good Friday Service - March 25, 12 noon
Easter Sunrise Service - March 27, 7 am
​Youth Sunday - April 3
VBS Training - May 22
Vacation Bible School - June 27-July 1​​