Hosanna Cyberfline - March 14, 2007

"My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.” (Psalm 31)

This week we grieve with Russ and Amber Walker over the loss of Russ's mother, Bethan, who passed away last Monday (3/10)

Call Committee Update: As of March 4, we had completed five in-person interviews. One week later, March 11, we have it narrowed down to two very strong candidates. There is a small chance that we may be able to present the final candidate during the congregational meeting on April 6th. If not, we will probably schedule a special congregational meeting either later in April or early May. —Jay Rohla

Tomorrow, Saturday, March 15, Women of the ELCA San Jacinto Cluster Meeting @ 9:15 AM. Registration at Kinsmen Lutheran Church 12100 Champion Forest Drive, Houston, TX 77066.

Also tomorrow... Deadline for submitting articles for the April Hotline.

A special note of thanks from IHN Coordinator Nickie Brooks: Thanks to everyone for making our guest families feel welcome by preparing meals, setting up the rooms and being a welcoming presence during the week.

This Sunday, March 16 (Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion/Begining of Holy Week)...

• Please bring a bag of individually wrapped candy for the Easter egg hunt and place it in the basket by the NAM pantry in the narthex. Confimation class will fill eggs during Sunday School this Sunday (Palm Sunday).
• March 16—Sunday of the Passion - Worship services @ 8, 9:30, 11 AM; Sunday School will hold a Passover Seder @ 9:30 AM. This Sunday also marks the beginning of IHN Week at Hosanna. Additionally, the Mission of the Month "Noisy Offering" for Lutherhill Campership Fund takes place this Sunday.

The Week Ahead (Holy Week)...

• March 18—Spring Break Roller Skating for children and adults of all ages @ 12 – 4 PM at Skate Champions Rollerworld, 5504 Fellowship Lane in Spring, Contact Debbie Rohla for information
• March 19—Bible Study @ 10 AM
• March 20—Maundy Thursday - Services @ 6:15 (Family) and 7:30 PM; This is the first day of the Triduum (Latin, "three days") which begins the evening of Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday and concludes the eve of Easter Sunday.
• March 21—Men of Hosanna Annual Golf Tournament at Fox Creek near Brenham, starting @ 8 AM. Cost for golf and barbeque lunch is $42 per person. Sign-up poster in the North Narthex. Deadline to sign-up and pay fees is Palm Sunday March 16, 2008. See Bob McConnell.
• March 21—Prayer Shawl Group meets @ 1 PM. Anyone who enjoys knitting, quilting or crocheting is welcome.
• March 21—Good Friday Sevice @ 7:30 PM (second day of the Triduum)
  March 22—Easter Egg Hunt @ 10:30 AM, Confirmation rehearsal @ 11 AM, Easter Vigil @ 7:30 PM (third day of the Triduum)
• March 23—Easter, Resurrection of our Lord - Pancake breakfast served beginning @ 8 AM; Festival services @ 8, 9:30, 11 AM

Looking further into the future...

• Saturday, March 29—You are invited to attend a baby shower for Angela Martin hosted by the Hosanna Women of the ELCA @ 3PM, in the Fellowship Hall. Refreshments will be served; Questions or RSVP, contact Heda Christ.
• New item: Sunday, March 30—Senior/Parent Banquet at New Hope Lutheran Church, Missouri City. We are calling all graduating seniors and their parents for a night of food, celebration, conversation and the renewing of our baptismal vows together as a community of faith. This will give high school students an opportunity to talk to college students about what it is like to be in college, and parents an opportunity to talk to parents who have gone through this experience. Fajitas will be served. RSVP Michelle Mote by March 16: (281) 499-7611 or michelle@newhopelc.org.
• Saturday, April 5—Women's Day Retreat on Spirituality at the Kaiserhof in Tomball from 10 AM to 7 PM.
• New item: Tuesday, April 1—Seniors Outing to Lutherhill at LaGrange. It's bluebonnet time! Also see Lutherhill's updated facilities. It's more than just a children's camp now. They will prepare a special meal. Total cost is $11.50. See Dorothy Petersen.
• Sunday, April 6—Congregation Meeting @ 12:30 PM
  Saturday, April 12—Inquirer's Retreat, 9:30 AM-2 PM. Lunch will be served. Contact Nita Auer for information.
• Saturday, April 12—Progressive Dinner
• Saturday, April 19—Hosanna Women of the ELCA Annual Spring Fling @ 9-11 AM: General meeting, entertainment, speaker and a delicious brunch prepared and served by the Men of Hosanna.
• Friday, April 25 @ 8 AM—7th Annual Lutherhill Golf Tournament at Longwood Golf Club, Cypress, TX. All entries must be submitted by April 21. Entry forms are available in the south entrance area. Also go to http://www.lutherhill.org
  Saturday, April 26—Annual Garage Sale to benefit Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM). This is a change from the previously announced date.
• Sunday, April 27—Hosanna Choir will perform Vivaldi's Gloria.
• Sunday, May 4—Council Meeting.
• Sunday, June 8—Congregation Meeting with Election of Officers followed by congregation Picnic. The council is extending an invitation to anyone to coordinate the food, games and other necessary tasks. Contact Jeff Hartmann if you can help.

Other Items...

• Link to This Week at Hosanna for March 16: http://www.welcometohosanna.com/weekly_news.pdf
• Link to the March 2008 Hotline: http://www.welcometohosanna.com/monthly_news.pdf
• Your weekly reading is Matthew 16: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2016;&version=31;
• Jesus predicts his death (appropriate for Holy Week, although the gospel lesson for Palm Sunday is Matthew 26:14—27:66)

Palm Sunday celebrates the day Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Test your knowledge of that day's events, recorded in the four Gospels. Is each of these statements true or false?

1. According to the Gospels, the people waved palm branches when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
2. The date of Jesus' triumphal entry—five days before Passover—was a special Jewish holiday.
3. By their actions, the people were publicly proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah.
4. The fact that Jesus rode a donkey portrayed him as a warrior king.
5. The word "Hosanna!" shouted by the people meant "Praise the Lord!"
6. The route Jesus chose for his triumphal entry was down the side of Mount Zion.
7. When the people spread branches and garments in Jesus' path it was to pay him honor.
8. The shouts of "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" were words from a Jewish hymn.

Answers:

1. False (Matt. 21:6, Mark 11:8, Luke 19:36, John 12:13). None of the four Gospels say the people "waved" branches but that they spread garments and branches in Jesus' path. Only John mentions palm branches, a tree not native to Jerusalem.
2. True. It was the day that each Israelite family chose the lamb to sacrifice for Passover on the tenth day of the month. As the people shouted "Hosanna," they didn't realize they were choosing the Lamb of God as their sacrifice.
3. True. When Solomon was anointed king, he rode into the city on a mule, to the shouts and praises of the people (1 Kings 1:43-45). Zechariah prophesied the Messiah would arrive the same way "gentle and riding on a donkey" (Zech. 9:9).
4. False. Conquering kings would ride war horses; the donkey symbolized peace and humility (Zech. 9:9, 10). Jesus' entry was a stark contrast to the war-like Romans, whose military presence was very visible.
5. False. The Hebrew word Halleluia means "praise the Lord;" Hosanna means "save us!" or "save!" The Palm Sunday crowd falsely assumed that Jesus would bring political liberation.
6. False.The route from Bethphage and Bethany took Jesus over the Mount of Olives offering him an excellent view westward of Jerusalem. According to Zechariah 14:4, Jesus will again stand on the Mount of Olives at his second coming.
7. True. The people boldly declared that Jesus was their king, an accusation eventually written by Pontius Pilate on the placard above his cross stating his "crime." It was common in Bible times to spread garments in the path of princes and kings, especially at their coronation (see 2 Kings 9:13).
8. True. The phrases "Hosanna" and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" come from Psalm 118: 25-26, one of the "Hallel" or praise psalms (113-118) used every Passover. These Jewish hymns would be as familiar to the Jewish people as Christmas carols are to Christians.

A Little Humor…

It was Palm Sunday but because of a sore throat, 5-year-old Johnny stayed home from church with a sitter.

When the family returned home, they were carrying palm fronds.

Johnny asked them what they were for.

"People held them over Jesus' head as he walked by," his father told him.

"Wouldn't you know it," Johnny fumed, "the one Sunday I don't go and he shows up."

Dale Bargmann, Hosanna Communications