27 March
Dear Friends,
Greetings to you once more as another week draws to an end, and as we are about to embark on a very special week indeed. Yes, Sunday is Palm Sunday, and then there follows the most important week of the Church's year, Holy Week, culminating with Easter Sunday. As ever, it will be very full, with much going on and some services being live-streamed from the church and some being pre-recorded.
The programme is below, but I would just draw your attention to one thing. Each day this week there will be a short service led by the current Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland which will go up on our website. You will be able to access the service there.
It is, of course, very disappointing not to be together for Holy Week and Easter for the second year running. Much work, though, has gone into the events and services in the coming days and I hope that you will be able to join in and participate fully.
Just one other matter: anyone volunteer to pick up food at Ekoplaza branches and take it to a refugee shelter once per month? Details from Joe Alibasah: joehennes@yahoo.com .
Keep well and all best wishes to you,
Lance
THIS WEEK:
Sunday, 10.30 hrs: Pre-recorded Palm Sunday service . You can access this just before 10.30 am directly via this link:https://www.erc.amsterdam/calendar/palm-sunday-2021
Our reading for this Sunday, for the sixth Sunday in Lent, Palm Sunday, is Mark 11:1-11.
Sunday, 21.00 hrs: Compline (short evening prayers): Join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/91386497205?pwd=YUN5dnRLOWlybHDSV250aHdJcnhiQT09
Tuesday 30th, 08.45 hrs: Psalm Reciting (this week Psalm 120-134). We will not meet at the church for this, but you might like to participate from your own home at 8.45 or some other time.
Wednesday 31st, 19.30 hrs: Bible Study: this week we are going to read through the story of the Passion in Mark's Gospel,chapters 14 & 15, stopping at points for discussion and reflection. Join us via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/92316847530?pwd=TjdObHBvcmVTRWM4bWprS2QrenBnQT09
Thursday 1st April, 19:30 hrs: Live-streamed Maundy Thursday service with Holy Communion. If you wish to participate in Communion please have some wine or juice and a piece of bread or biscuit ready. Join us via this link: https://www.erc.amsterdam/calendar/maundy-thursday-2021
Thursday, 21.00hrs: Compline (short evening prayer): join us via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/91386497205?pwd=YUN5dnRLOWlybHDSV250aHdJcnhiQT09
Friday, 19:30 hrs: Pre-recorded Good Friday service including music and choir. Join us via this link: https://www.erc.amsterdam/calendar/good-friday-2021
Saturday, 21.00 hrs: Service (Zoom) of light and Renewal of Baptismal vows. Join us via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/97993978243?pwd=Rm1oRDVKajVsczVpMnAybVJWSEU5dz09
Have a candle (or candles) ready!
Prayer:
In this time there may be people who feel especially in need of prayer either for themselves or for someone else. In 'normal' times there was a small group of people in the congregation who used to take it in turns on Sundays to be available after the service to pray for anyone in need - so, if you would like prayer or have a particular prayer request please contact Margaret Richards on margaretanne_richards@hotmail.com and she and the others will pray accordingly.
A word about finance….
Please note that in this period when we are not meeting together there is a way of giving to the church on the website.
God bless you all and keep us united as a church family – and safe and well.
Lance