Pine Cone Press
Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 5340
1805 Pine Tree Road
Longview, Texas 75608
(903) 759-2685
Rev. Cindy Barton, Pastor
(442) 235-1393
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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From the Pastor’s Desk:
“A Plan for Holy Week”
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…!” (1 Peter 1:3-4) These verses summarize the reason for our great rejoicing at Easter: in Christ’s Resurrection we too are victorious over sin and death! Jesus is alive, walking with us every day, making a way for us to be with him for all eternity. On Resurrection Day, we celebrate our risen Lord and Savior! Our rejoicing on Easter is even greater if we experience through Bible reading and special worship events the sacrificial suffering that Jesus endured during Holy Week. Plan to set aside time to do this.
Holy Week begins this year on April 13, Palm Sunday. We celebrate Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem as people waved palm branches and shouted praise. The collection of readings entitled “Liturgy of the Palms” takes us through this important day. Yet within the week, public praise turned to scorn, and Jesus was arrested, tried, tortured, and killed. The readings entitled “Passion of the Christ” and those for the successive days of Holy Week help us to understand the depth of Christ’s love, shown in his suffering for us.
Take time to read the lectionary texts for Holy Week.
Palm Sunday, Liturgy of the Palms: Psalm 118:1-2,19-29; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-16. Liturgy of the Passion: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Luke 22:14 - 23:56; Philippians 2:5-11.
Monday: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 36:5-11; Hebrews 9:11-15; John 12:1-11.
Tuesday: Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 71:1-14; John 12:20-36; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.
Wednesday: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 70; John 13:21-32; Hebrews 12:1-3.
Maundy Thursday: Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; John 13:1-17, 31b-35; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
Good Friday: Isaiah 52:12 - 53:12; Psalm 22; John 18:1 – 19:42; Hebrews 10:16-25; Hebrews 4:14-16 and 5:7-9.
Holy Saturday: Job 14:1-14; Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24; Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16; Matthew 27:57-66; John 19:38-42; 1 Peter 4:1-8.
Easter Day: Acts 10:34-43; Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm 118:1-2;14-24; John 20:1-18; Luke 24:1-12; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26.
Plan to attend special worship services marking the days of Christ’s Passion and celebrating the joy of His Resurrection. Easter is the most important week of the Christian Year. Let’s worship together!
Important Dates to Remember
Sunday, April 6 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Communion
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Thursday, April 10 Session Meeting
1:00 P.M.
Saturday, April 12 CPWM Meeting
10:30 A.M.
Sunday, April 13 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Noon Meal
Palm Sunday
Thursday, April 17 Maundy Thursday
Service 6:00 P.M.
Friday, April 18 Good Friday
Service 6:00 P.M.
Elmira Chapel
Sunday, April 20 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Easter Sunday
Tuesday, April 22 Earth Day
Friday, April 25 Arbor Day
Sunday, April 27 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
First Sunday of Easter
Pine Tree CPWM April Meeting
The next meeting of the Pine Tree CPWM will be Saturday, April 12. A field trip is planned to visit the East Texas Oil Museum in Kilgore, followed by lunch at the Back Porch Restaurant. Bring family members or a friend to enjoy this outing and learn about local history. Transportation needs will be met by carpooling in personal vehicles. Meet at the church at 10:30 a.m. to join this event!
Lillies for Easter
You are invited to bring lilies, artificial or natural, to decorate the sanctuary for Easter. Lillies may be brought to the church during Holy Week business hours.
Special Services During Holy Week
Pine Tree CP Church will host a Seder/Communion worship service on Maundy Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This service highlights God’s unfolding plan to deliver his people as shown in the connected stories of the Jewish Passover and Christ’s Last Supper with his disciples. All are invited; please let us know if you plan to attend so that we can be prepared! We are invited to join Elmira Chapel CPC in worship on Good Friday at 6:00 p.m. in their sanctuary. This service will focus on the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross. Pine Tree CPC will hold our traditional worship service in the sanctuary on Easter Sunday at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection.
Orange Dreamsicle Salad
Ingredients:
1 box orange Jell-O
1 box instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup boiling water
½ cup cold water
1 Cool Whip (8 oz.)
1 can mandarin oranges (14 oz. drained)
1 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine the orange Jell-O and boiling water. Whisk until the Jell-O is completely dissolved. Add the cold water to the mixture and chill it in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. Slowly whisk in the vanilla pudding mix until the mixture is smooth. Chill for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until it begins to thicken slightly. Fold in the Cool Whip, mandarin oranges, and mini marshmallows gently until well combined. Serve immediately or keep it chilled until ready to enjoy.