Dear Family & Friends of Sedona UMC:

Holy Week Greetings—my thoughts and prayers continue to be with each of you!

The Church “building” may be closed—But, the “Church of Jesus Christ” is truly open for business. And how our community and world celebrate this truth!

A number of Holy Week offerings for you this week. We decided not to do our planned “Sunrise Drive In Easter Service” as we felt it went against the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected” practices that is designed to slow the rate of spread and the effects of the virus. We just didn’t want to entice people to make trips from their homes as our first priority is helping ensure you all stay healthy and safe. Maybe we can try this some other time.

But we do have a full slate of Holy Week and Easter Celebration On-Line Services which will be available and accessible on our website (www.sedonaumc.org) on the following schedule:

Holy Thursday—Available by 4PM today (04.09.20). This service offers “Virtual” Holy Communion, so you are encouraged to have some elements ready (Bread or Crackers-for the “Body” – Juice of any kind-for the “Blood). Please do not feel the need to go out and get special items for this.

Good Friday – “A Service of remembrance”—Available by 6PM on Friday Afternoon (04/10/20). This service is the story of “The Passion of Christ” through the scriptures. An extremely important experience to prepare our hearts for the Resurrection of Easter. Experience all that Christ did for us on that cross in Calvary over 2000 years ago.

Easter – “Christ is Risen”—Available by 6:30am Easter Sunday Morning (04/12/20) In case you want to get up with the Sunrise and experience an “early” Celebration. Featuring joyous music, A message (“Because He Lives”) inviting you to contemplate the importance difference the resurrection has made in your life. This service offers “Virtual” Holy Communion, so you are encouraged to have some elements ready (Bread or Crackers-for the “Body” – Juice of any kind-for the “Blood). Again, please do not feel the need to go out and get special items for this.

Thank you to our worship team that has been doubly challenged in recording services while abiding by the Stay Home, Stay Safe request. Many hours of recording at different time, different locations, and editing all the pieces together have taken place to create one service much less 3 services in three days. A special treat this Sunday, you will not have to listen to my singing as we will be using recordings from previous services which will include full congregational singing for Easter. We hope you are finding our services very meaningful and fulfilling.

I want to encourage all of you to continue being a part of on-line worship & Bible Study (Sunday Worship on-line Sunday by 9:30am & Our current study (live) on-line on Tuesday, April 14th at 10:30am via ZOOM technology. Check our website www.sedonaumc.org for access and I will also be sending out a link via email to both.

Stay well and be a blessing!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Fred Mast