I pass by the courthouse on the square at least twice a day, as I drive to and from St. Andrew. There is usually some activity or contest taking place on the lawn in front of the courthouse, but this week, with the warm spring weather, the variety and intensity of the events has increased. On Monday I noticed a girl doing the hula hoop, an active frisbee match with a dog, a young man at the far east corner playing his guitar, a football toss in progress, a large family eating a picnic on the lawn, and several different smaller groups studying while sprawled on the grass. All the parking places around the square were occupied, by the people who were strolling, drinking coffee, eating and enjoying the warm weather and all that the Denton square has to offer. Our own youth group added to the mix of entertainment and activity last Christmas with their Christmas caroling. We're very fortunate that we live in a vibrant, growing community that attracts people to the area, even though we do struggle with the large amount of road construction that we encounter at every turn!

    This Sunday begins our journey through Holy Week, starting with Palm-Passion Sunday. It is a week in which we reenact past events so that they can become our present experience. During Holy Week, we are not sentimentally watching Jesus walk to the cross. Instead, we are remembering the purposeful actions of a God whose intentions were designed to bring salvation and redemption to those who could not accomplish this on their own - people like you and me. Our Creator willingly chose to suffer for all of humanity for the purpose of redemption for our sakes and the sake of all the different people in the world - hula hoopers, frisbee throwers, Christmas carolers, guitar players, coffee drinkers and everyone else in between.

    Holy Week gives us the opportunity to participate in the events, not as the Savior, but as one of the ones pointing in witness to our Savior's actions. We get to reenact these past events one more time so that they can become embedded experiences in our lives, memories and actions. The services during the week are very experiential. At the noon services, there is time given to quiet meditation. We share a meal together and the Lord's Supper at Maundy Thursday and we leave in silence from a darkened sanctuary on Friday night at Tenebrae. And, of course, we have brass and organ playing loudly and voices singing on Easter Sunday. I encourage you to participate in the reenactments, making these experiences come alive again in your life, and I would encourage you to invite someone to join you at one of the services this week. Invite someone who has not participated in Holy Week services before or maybe not for a long time. Let's reach beyond our walls of the church and embrace all for whom Jesus sacrificed through his life, death and resurrection.

Grace and peace,

Lisa

   St. Andrew will remember Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem this Sunday, March 29 with a special processional. Members of the choir will lead us in singing All Glory, Laud, and Honor as we enter the Sanctuary for worship. Members of the congregation are invited to join the choir at 10:40am in the parking lot to process. Please join us!

Easter Music and Flowers
   Donations for Easter music and flowers can be made in the church office. If you would like to make a contribution in memory or in honor of family or friends, please fill out the form provided, attach it to your donation and leave it in the folder marked "Easter Flowers and Music Donations." Deadine: Passion/Palm Sunday, March 29.

One Great Hour of Sharing Offering
   The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering will be received on Easter Sunday, April 5. You will find the envelopes in the pew racks. This offering is distributed among the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and the Self-development of People Program. Please give generously as we remember to share joyfully through our giving. 

April Communion Service
   Please note that we will serve communion at the Maundy Thursday service on April 2 and not on Easter Sunday, April 5.

Planning for the Later Parts of Life 

Another Kirkin' Update fer Ye:    What exactly is a Kirkin' service?  Go to the Kirkin' page on the St. Andrew web site to learn more about it; see  https://www.saint-andrew.com/kirkin-o-the-tartans/.   And if you have any Scottish roots, no matter how distant, please remember to identify your clan on the clan registry sheet on the table in the narthex.
   We need your help!  There is much to do to prepare for our Kirkin' service.  We need seamstresses for a very simple sewing project.  We also need a vehicle to transport 7ft long boxes for the tartan flags and banners we will be using for the day; we need to pick up and return a few days before and after the service on April 19.  If you can help, please contact Dee Bergan at dtbergan@verizon.net.

   Tonya Hernandez, our Financial Secretary, is available Monday through Friday. She is able to answer any questions regarding financial matters for our members and guests. If you would like to speak with her, please do not hesitate to call the church office. If she is not able to come to the phone at that moment, please leave a message on her voicemail and she will get back to you as soon as possible, usually on the same day. Her number is 940-387-3897 ext 225. 

Join the Ushers
   Additional ushers are needed for the 10:50am service on Easter Sunday. We usually have many visitors and a good crowd of members on Easter, and we need your help. If you plan to be in town and would be able to serve in this way, please contact June McNeill, 940-591-6080 or june.mcneill@verion.net.

Community Outreach Committee
Mother's Day Gift Bag Requests
   The Community Outreach Committee requests donations for the Mother's Day Gift Bags that will be donated to homeless mothers with dependent children through Giving Hope, Inc.   New female toiletry items and new or gently-used gift bags are requested.  Suggested items may include make-up, lipstick, perfume, lotion, shampoo & conditioner, nail products & accessories, deodorant, etc.   Donations will be collected March 8 through May 3 in the designated collection bins by the soda machine outside Fellowship Hall.

   Some of us recently completed the Heartsaver CPR AED training, sponsored by the American Heart Association. I realize there are others of you, because of your job requirements or perhaps other reasons, who hold current CPR AED certification.
   I would appreciate your sending me your name, the organization that provided your training, the name of the training you received and the expiration date. Once you forward that information to me, I'll add that to the list of those who recently completed the training here at St. Andrew. We'll then post that combined list on the wall right beside the AED in the workroom, right off the narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Jim White at the church office 940-387-3897 or via e-mail:  jim@saint-andrew.com. Thank you.