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Category Archives: Holidays

Where did Good Friday get its name?

 

Our name for the Friday before Easter, “Good Friday,” is most likely related to the English and the Dutch, the only two languages that use this term, which etymologists say is likely an alteration of the Germanic word, “Goddes,” meaning “God’s” or “Holy.” That term does not mean “good.” The day is called Holy Friday in nearly all other languages in the world.

A similar process happened with the English word “goodbye,” which was formed over time as a contraction of “God be with ye.”

English speakers are no more saying that “it’s good to see you go” when they say goodbye than they are calling the day of Christ’s crucifixion good when they call it Good Friday. Holy, yes. Good? Not so much.

Good Friday, or Holy Friday as most of the rest of the world calls it in their languages, 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.

From https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-where-did-good-friday-get-its-name

 
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Posted by on April 2, 2021 in Holidays, Lent, Posts of Interest, Videos

 

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Stations of the Cross

Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, marks the last conversation Jesus has with his disciples, a conversation grounded in what he calls a new commandment (mandatum in Latin, hence our English word “Maundy”). He illustrates and underscores the new commandment by washing their feet: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Good Friday, or Holy Friday as it is known in nearly every non-English-speaking culture, we witness the execution of Jesus, recognize our ongoing complicity with the powers of death, and are called to enter the Great Silence of all creation in response to the death of its God and Maker.

7-8pm for a drive-through “Stations of the Cross” with Holy Communion held on our church’s campus.   Come and prepare your heart for Easter! Drive through our parking lot to receive Holy Communion from Pastor Will. View Living Tableaux of the Passion of Christ, narrated by Pastor Will with beautiful musical accompaniment by Brian and Uriah. 

 

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Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Holy Week

Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Music, presents a series of hymn-based devotions on Wednesdays during Lent.

The Holy Week selection is Lamb of God by Twila Paris from The Faith We Sing, #2113

The Faith We Sing Number 2113

Text: Twila Paris

Music: Twila Paris

Tune: SWEET LAMB OF GOD, Meter: Irr. with Refrain

 

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Music for Palm Sunday

 

Every Palm Sunday, without fail, my father’s church choir in Connecticut sang this.  I still know it nearly by heart.

This hymn for Palm Sunday was originally written in French as “Les rameaux” originally published in 1864 by French art collector, operatic baritone and composer Jean-Baptiste Fauré (1830–1914).

Jean-Baptiste Fauré should not be confused with French composer, organist, pianist and teacher Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) who composed a world-famous Requiem and other works.

An early English translation “Palm-Branches” was published by Oliver Ditson Co., Boston in “Gems of English Song” 1875. A number of other English translations have been made, and it has proved surprisingly difficult to identify the translators. One version is sometimes credited to Harrison Millard (1830-1895) – but other sources say he was simply an arranger.

I think, as a choir, we didn’t sound quite this good

Other Palm Sunday Music:

We are singing this at the Pender Contemporary Service this morning at 11:15:

 

We are singing this at Pender this year at the 9:00 traditional service, but without quite as much ceremony, and in English

 

This looks like fun – “Jerusalem, lift up your gates and sing!”  Hosanna in the Highest to your King!  Note that one person is playing a duet with himself.

 

 

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Easter Egg-stravaganza

 

Join us as our youth host Pender’s Easter Egg-stravaganza!

It will be a fun time for the kids as we get together safely to celebrate our Easter Season. We will have Easter story time, crafts, dancing, and photos with the Easter Bunny!

Bring the tailgate chairs or a picnic blanket. Social distancing will be observed and masks will be required.

The event will be Saturday April 3rd Check in starts at 12:45pm and the event runs 1pm-2:30pm. Please be on time so that you don’t miss the fun!

Sign up here

 

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