This Week In Ministry
The following Institutional Services are arranged for and reported by United Churches of Lycoming County:
- Lycoming County Prison, 1:45 and 3:15 p.m., None scheduled.
- Williamsport South, 2 p.m., Ms. Debra Buckman, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Williamsport.
- Valley View Nursing Home, 2 p.m., Vicar Carol Johnson, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Williamsport.
- We Care of Loyalsock, 2 p.m., Ms. Patricia Burket, State Road United Methodist Church, Linden.
- Williamsport North, 2:15 p.m., Rev. Gwen Bernstine, Lycoming Presbyterian Church, Williamsport.
- Rose View Center, 2:15 p.m., Mr. Jerry Webb, AME Zion Church, Williamsport.
- Williamsport Home, 3 p.m., None scheduled.
- Pre-Release Center, Men, 3:30 p.m., Mrs. Gail Slocum and Mrs. Carol Hetler, Yokefellows.
- Pre-Release Center, Women, 3:30 p.m., Mr. Don Slocum, Yokefellows
- Heritage Springs, 10 a.m. Tuesday, None scheduled.
- Leighton Place, 2 p.m. Tuesday, None scheduled.
- We Care of Loyalsock (Bible Study), 10 a.m. Wednesday, Pastor Tammey Edkin, United Churches of Lycoming County.
- Hillside Senior Living, 2 p.m., Wednesday, Pastor Tammey Edkin, United Churches of Lycoming County.
- Presbyterian Home, 11 a.m. Thursday, None scheduled.
- 8:30 a.m. (Saturday) Jersey Shore Assembly of God, WJSA 96.3 FM.
- 9:30 a.m. (Sunday) Community Baptist Church, Montoursville, WJSA 96.3 FM.
- 9 a.m. (Sunday) Pine Street United Methodist Church, Williamsport, WWPA 1340 AM/101.7 FM., WILQ HD3
Recent Articles
By Ms. Tiffany Haller, Director of Faith Formation, St. Ann Roman Catholic Church
La what Sunday? Laetare Sunday. It is a Roman Catholic tradition celebrated during the fourth Sunday in Lent, this Sunday. Laetare translates from Latin and means “rejoice.” But, you say, Lent is a time for fasting (practicing self-control), prayer (seeking the Lord in scripture and meditation or contemplation), and almsgiving (sharing the gifts we have received from God, not just monetarily but of our time and talents as well). Yes, Lent is a period of forty days during which Christians remember the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus Christ. Jesus’s life and his teachings are the basis of Christianity.
Isaiah 66:10-11 states, “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exalt and be satisfied at her consoling breast.” This verse from Isaiah is the inspiration for the theme of Laetare Sunday. Even the liturgical (rite for public worship) color used for this day is celebratory: rose. The color rose represents a time of joy amid the somber Lenten period of fasting and prayer. The change in color from Lenten violet indicates a glimpse of the joy that awaits us at Easter. The timing is just before we enter the somber days of Passiontide.
The delight of Easter approaching is symbolized in a few other interesting liturgical options. During Lent, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal does not allow flowers on the altar. But there’s a temporary halt to these penitential observations on Laetare Sunday (as well as solemnities and feasts within the Lenten season). Bring on the flowers!
Here is another interesting, fun fact about Laetare Sunday: marriages were generally forbidden during Lent, but Laetare Sunday was an exception when marriages could be celebrated during this penitential season. Now marriages are forbidden on Good Friday and Holy Saturday only. But Laetare Sunday is still a fitting day for those wishing to be married in the church before Eastertide.
As we approach the darkness and horror of the days through Good Friday and Holy Saturday, Laetare Sunday is an opportunity to savor and remember what awaits us on Easter Sunday: the reality that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and that our hearts will always be filled with happiness!
I hope the awareness of this tradition and its customs helps in understanding and appreciating the beauty of faith. So, celebrate this Laetare Fourth Sunday of Lent along with the rest of the Lenten season, the fifty days of Easter, and beyond. Why not take advantage of the richness of some faith traditions, old or new (if even just to you). It just might spark some joy! Rejoice!
By Rebecca Logan, Retired UPMC Chaplain, Member of Lycoming Valley Baptist Church
All of any nation’s history is unjust because of sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, they set off a chain reaction to all of humanity that will never be finally resolved until eternity. Animosity, hatred, and taking advantage of others started as early as the first sibling. Cain deliberately went against what God said, and in his jealousy, possibly embarrassment, killed his own flesh-and-blood brother. That was complete injustice; his brother had done nothing wrong but was killed. Vengefulness, anger, and jealousy has consumed humankind since.
Injustice reappears in another family later in Genesis. We see Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery. The theme of bondage, slavery, and freedom is woven throughout Scripture. Many lessons can be learned from it. Why did people do that to others? What were their motivations? Where was God in all of this?