FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Dear friends and members of our Balboa Union Church
Our Easter week begins with Palm Sunday. We can see the whole life of Jesus resumed in a few days. On Sunday people cry “Hosanna = Help us now! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” On Friday people cry “Crucify him!”
Until today people ask: why did Jesus have to die? There are so many possible answers: which is the real one? In reality the Bible doesn’t provide us with a simple, right answer, but rather an answer which introduces us to faith and to trust in God: all this happened for my salvation. The old Christian Creed confesses: »who for us men, and for our salvation, Jesus came down from heaven, was crucified for us … and suffered«
The end of Jesus was a great shock for the disciples. This could happen because one of them betrayed the Lord. But what was thought as the end was transformed by God into a new beginning. The believers started to read again the Bible, the first part which we normally call the Old Testament. The disciples read it in a specific way: God’s promises are now fulfilled.
The cry of Palm Sunday “Hosanna!” is fulfilled; we find help in Jesus. This verse “Hosanna!” is part of Psalm 118.
Jesús, following the Jewish Tradition of Passover, prayed this Psalm with his disciples in the night of betrayal. Another verse of Psalm 118 expresses: “I shall not die, but I shall live.” Those verses and teachings entered into the liturgy for the Holy Communion. Neither the rich nor the powerful will bring us help but the king of peace.
Kind Regards and blessings for the upcoming Holy Week
Reverend Roland
THIS SUNDAY AT BALBOA UNION CHURCH
Worship Service at 10 a.m. – ALL ARE WELCOME!
Children’s Sunday School Teacher: Beth Anne Gray
SPEAKER: Rev. Roland Schnell
| First Testament Readings
and Psalms |
Isaiah 50:4-9
Psalm 31:9-16 |
| Epistle Reading | Phillipians 2:5-11 |
| Gospel Reading | Mark 15:1-39 |
Other News
From Our Mission Committee
Open Call:
For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me; 36 I was naked and you clothed me; sick and you visited me; in prison and you came to see me. “
Matthew 25: 35-36
Dear Sisters and Brothers:
On February 1, we assumed the challenge of coordinating the missions program of our church, guided by the Holy Spirit and always looking forward to serve with all of our being.
However, to carry out the tasks, we need the support of all of you. We all have valuable gifts and talents that God has given us, let’s put them at the service of its mandate. There is No Help too little, all aid is necessary to perform the work of the Lord and your participation makes a difference.
Assume the commitment to transform the world in which we live, by giving the best we have, Ourselves.
ALL IDEAS AND CONTRIBUTIONS ARE WELCOME. Please also invite your friends and family to volunteer in our programs. they will not regret it.
We will focus on four axes and want your opinion on how the missions program of our church can help.
Children:
Literacy program for children in San Felipe. Education = Opportunities
Affordable day care center for working mothers.
Elderly:
Given the unexpected closing of Catherine Brown’s home, will move our visits to the Home Light and Life, located in Los Ríos, Ancon that is the home to 23 seniors who gladly await our visit.
Families:
transform the Bridging families program to provide not only food baskets, but comprehensive assistance for beneficiary families to help them out of their plight. We Do not want to be a crutch, but a stepping stone.
Prision Inmates:
We all feel fear of insecurity and violence in our society; This is an invitation to do something about it! Give a helping hand hand to a person who has made a mistake and encourage new purposes in their lives after they go out. Often, all you need is One person who believes in you.
If you are interested please send an email with your details to misiones@Balboaunionchurch.org and in the coming days we will contact you for our first meeting.
13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:13
Betsy Farah Moran
Chair of Mission Commitee
+ (507) 66124494
Thursday Evening – Men’s Group
David has asked us to remind all gentlemen in the Church that they are welcome to join the men’s group that gets together every Thursday, 5.00- 7.00 p.m., at the Tryp Hotel (Albrook). This is a time for fellowship and getting to know other members of our Church family.
Upcoming Events –
Women’s monthly Afternoon Tea
We haven’t received confirmation of the time/place as Beth Gray has been out with a cold and Isabella has bronchitis. Beth says that she will organise with the ladies in the coming week to set up an alternative date/time.
Easter potluck lunch & Easter Egg hunt
We remind all parishoners that for Easter Sunday we will be having a Potluck Lunch. The office will produce this week a sign-up sheet, for you to indicate what you will be bringing. We will have an Easter egg hunt for the kids (inside the building) after lunch. Please feel free to invite friends and neighbours to the Easter Sunday service and lunch.
Special Property Management Report
We are looking forward to receiving from Sue & Kendra a special report on the 11+ projects that we have going on at the moment in the Church. This will be a “photo-infographic” report, with before and after pictures of everything that they are working on. We can’t wait to bring this to you!
From Our Friends of Cantus Panama
