Five new members joining our church was the high point in our Palm Sunday service. Brandon Collins, a sixth grader was confirmed and joined with his grandparents Chris and Nancy Collins standing with him. Four adults also took on the covenant of membership; each one sponsored by a member of the church; Ken D’Annolfo, who was sponsored by his wife Carolyn; Lorraine Molloy and Shirley Prouty both sponsored by their friend Mary McCorison, and Robert Stewart, sponsored by his neighbor, Harrison Griffin.
Brandon, assisted by his brother Christopher, began the special section in the service by displaying the cross craft that they had made in confirmation class and reading the responsive liturgy about the meaning of the cross with Pastor Kelvin Jones. Then Pastor Jones called all the sponsors and new members to the front and he led the whole congregation in the liturgy for confirmation and membership. To emphasize the close relationship between membership and baptism, Pastor Kelvin sprinkled water into a bowl and reminded the congregation to “remember your baptism.”
Next our holiday choir inspired the congregation with a presentation of “What Kind of Love is This?” a contemporary anthem by Phillips, Craig and Dean, arranged and directed by JoAnne Jones. The morning message reminded us all that Jesus came into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday peacefully, on a donkey rather than a horse, as a symbol of the peace he wants to bring into all our lives. Pastor Jones said that Jesus came to bring us peace with God (Rom. 5:1, 2), peace with each other (Eph. 2:15-18) and peace in our inner selves (Phil 4:7, 9).
Next week at our new time of 9:30 AM our celebration continues with more choir music and music of the harp by JoAnne Jones as well. Pastor’s message will focus on the confession of the apostolic church, “Jesus is Lord!”