Presbyterian Visitor
March 27, 2026
Thank you to everyone who helped with our church activities during the month of March. Without your great help, our many activities would not have been possible.
The month of April starts off in the middle of Holy Week. Our church will be hosting a Community Good Friday Service starting at 6:30pm. During this service you will hear Bible readings from several different ministers from our community.
Easter Sunday, April 5th, will start with our Annual Easter Egg Hunt for children of all ages. The hunt will begin at 9:30am on the church lawn. In the event of rain the hunt will move to inside the church. Please have children bring sacks or baskets to collect their eggs in. Donations of wrapped candies are greatly appreciated and may be left in the church library, please have donations here by Thursday, April 2nd.
Our Easter Sunday worship service will begin at 10:30am. Everyone is invited to help adorn our sanctuary with potted spring flowers to help celebrate Easter. We ask that you do not bring in lilies as several in our congregation are allergic to them. We are looking forward to a beautiful Easter morning and service.
Congratulations to JJ Kingsley, son of Selena Kingsley on being named a 2026 Silver Waves Media Rising Star for his work as the assistant boys basketball coach at Vincennes University.
We would also like to congratulate our Bloomfield High School boys basketball team for winning their Regional Championship
Our church will be hosting a Red Cross Blood drive on Monday, April 6th in Fellowship Hall. All types of blood are desperately needed. One donation can help save up to 3 lives. To register to donate go to RedCrossBlood.org and enter FPChurchBloomfield or call them at 1-800-733-2767.
We are continuing to serve communion at Glenburn on the first Wednesday of each month. Volunteers are always welcome to attend to help with the service and visit with the residents.
On Sunday, April 12th, everyone is invited to join us in celebrating our secretary’s 10 year anniversary as our church secretary. A reception will take place following worship service in Fellowship Hall.
We are continuing to collect soup donations for the Bloomfield Food Pantry. The food pantry has been helping a great many people with food insecurities and lately has seen increase in the number of people in need of assistance. Donations may be left on the cart in the hallway.
The Session will be meeting on Thursday, April 16th at 5:30pm.
Women’s Association News
The women are hard at work selecting recipes and making plans for the 48th Annual Tasting Luncheon, which will be held on Friday, June 26th. The first of the Pre-Tasting Dinners was held on March 12th. Many delicious Main Dishes and Salads were sampled by those attending. The second of the Pre-Tasting Dinners will be held on Thursday, April 9th and will feature Vegetables and (everyone’s favorite) Desserts. The sampling will begin at 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall, please don’t forget to bring your recipe along with your dish. The hostess for the meeting will be Bobbi Vandeventer with devotions given by Karen Ruggles.
The monthly Birthday Gathering will be held on Thursday, April 2nd starting at 9:30am. All ladies are welcome to attend.
April Rotary Lunches:
Date Chair
Apil 14th Connie Hawkins
April 28th Bobbi Vandeventer
Pastor’s Message
We may know the phrase ‘Holy Week’ but perhaps some of us are less acquainted with all this week entails. Have no fear! Holy Week 101 is right here for your convenience!
‘Holy Week’ refers to Easter Sunday and the 7 previous days—so Sunday to Sunday, 8 days total. During this week, we remember and retell the stories about the last week of Jesus’ earthly life. A good chunk of the gospels (including more than 1/3 of the gospel of Mark!) are devoted to narrating this particular week of events.
In mainline protestant denominations such as the Presbyterian Church (USA), we typically mark the following days as a part of Holy Week:
Palm Sunday (March 29 this year):
Biblical event: We read the story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, which is told in Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, and John 12.
How we commemorate: We wave palm branches and shout Hosanna like the crowds in Jerusalem did when Jesus rode on their streets.
Variation: Some churches observe what is called “Palm-Passion Sunday.” This worship service begins with the triumphant entry into Jerusalem and continues through the passion readings. Generally the service starts out joyful and ends somber. Churches may do this because not as many people attend the midweek services devoted to the events of Jesus’ passion, and yet these stories are central to our faith, and should be told and heard.
Maundy Thursday (April 2 this year):
Biblical event: The three synoptic gospels (that’s Matthew, Mark, and Luke) tell of Jesus’ Last Supper with the disciples, when he declared the bread to be his body and the wine his blood. Meanwhile, the gospel of John (who likes to be a bit different) tells about Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning commandment, referring to Jesus’ command to the disciples to love one another.
How we commemorate: Usually Maundy Thursday services include Communion and/or foot washing. The services may be preceded by a simple meal.
Variation: Hand washing has become a newer variation in an effort to keep the ritual act of neighborly care, while recognizing that some are uncomfortable with their feet being touched. Another possible observance is stripping the altar at the end of the Maundy Thursday service—removing the candles and other adornments.
Good Friday (April 3 this year):
Biblical event: This is the crucifixion. On the cross, Jesus said various “last words” (more like phrases) according to the 4 gospel writers. On Good Friday we may hear a combination of those accounts as if they were one singular narrative.
How we commemorate: Good Friday services usually include several gospel readings. They are somber and reflective in spirit. Usually the sanctuary is bare, with a simple cross and maybe a black cloth draping it, and/or a crown of thorns.
Variation: Many Good Friday services are considered “7 Last Words” services. These services often include 7 mini-sermons by 7 different preachers, one for each of Jesus’ “last words.” Other Good Friday services are Tenebrae Services. Tenebrae is Latin for darkness. In these services, candles are gradually extinguished as the passion narrative is read from the gospel(s), usually in 16 segments. Tenebrae Services end in near total darkness.
Easter Sunday (April 5 this year):
Biblical event: All four gospels recount the resurrection of Jesus. Though they tell the story in different ways, one commonality is that it is women who first learn of the resurrection, and then share the good news with the other disciples.
How we commemorate: Easter services always include one of the gospel accounts of the resurrection. A typical Easter greeting is the pastor/liturgist saying, “Christ is risen!” and the congregation responds, “He is risen indeed!”
Variation: Often churches have fresh flowers adorning the sanctuary. Sometimes there are special choir arrangements or musical accompaniment.
So, how’d you do in Holy Week 101? Learn anything new? Remember some facts you had forgotten? Help consolidate your knowledge all in one place? In any case, I hope it was helpful, and deepens your appreciation of this Holy Week!
In resurrection hope,
Pastor Hana