As we move towards Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, we start to focus on all that is soon to happen.
Holy Communion will be a major focus on Thursday. This song offers an opportunity to meditatively reflect on the meaning. Sit back and ponder…
Church not identified.
(more…)Jesus’ grand entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was glorious. Yet the entrance was for the purpose of heading to the cross on Friday morning and the tomb on Friday afternoon.
The hymn Ride On, Ride On in Majesty lifts up that celebratory joy while pointing with dread to what will happen by end of the week.
The last line points to even greater celebration to come: “Then take your power and reign” which foretells Jesus reigning on His throne forever, triumphant as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King.
King’s College, Cambridge
One version of the lyrics, for your celebration:
(more…)Palm Sunday is the day Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, marking the start of Passion Week. The entrance, with great fanfare, was fit for a king.
The hymn All Glory, Laud, and Honor celebrates the day:
Conductor : Emmanuel Ponraj
Organ : Leslie
Recorded live at St Andrews Kirk Chennai in 2010.
The lyrics:
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As we finish our first year of shutting down education for our kids and shutting down the economy for everyone, evidence is emerging of what a terrible mistake we made.
A series of posts will commemorate this regrettable anniversary.
Today’s articles:
Apparently neither officials in Santa Clara County nor a panel of the Ninth circuit Court of Appeals were able to read the injunction issued by the Supreme Court or that the state allowed indoor worship.
After the injunction allowing indoor worship was issued and after the state of California allowed indoor worship up to 25% of capacity, it should have been obvious to officials in the county and all the judges on the Court of Appeals that indoor worship was allowed.
Seems like said officials and judges were not able to comprehend the order.
The county continued to ban all indoor worship services.
Five churches filed a motion in District Court requesting an injunction against the county ban. The trial court issued an injunction. The county appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which overturned the injunction meaning churches in the county would not be to worship indoors.
Friday the Supreme Court issued a one-page unsigned order overturning the panel of Ninth Circuit judges.
(more…)Apparently neither officials in Santa Clara County nor a panel of the Ninth circuit Court of Appeals were able to read the injunction issued by the Supreme Court or that the state allowed indoor worship.
After the injunction allowing indoor worship was issued and after the state of California allowed indoor worship up to 25% of capacity, it should have been obvious to officials in the county and all the judges on the Court of Appeals that indoor worship was allowed.
Seems like said officials and judges were not able to comprehend the order.
(more…)
Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
Effective 2/6/21, the state of California will allow indoor worship services, with attendance limited to 25% of capacity. The revised public health order can be found here.
The health order says the linked guidance found here for places of worship is being updated. The document, COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Places of Worship and Providers of Religious Services and Cultural Ceremonies, requires social distancing and specific cleaning protocols.
It also bans singing and chanting.
First Amendment text of the US Constitution on old parchment paper. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
In two rulings late on Friday, 2/5/21, the Supreme Court issued emergency injunctions in favor of two California churches allowing them to resume in-person worship services on 2/7/21.
The longer ruling with multiple concurring or dissenting opinions was issued on behalf of South Bay United Pentecostal Church, located in San Diego. The follow-on injunction, issued after the first, is shorter. It was issued on behalf of Harvest Rock Church, with its main campus in Pasadena, California and a large number of other campus locations around the state.
The day after the rulings were issued, Gov. Newsom’s office said the state will revise its public health orders regarding indoor worship services. For a brief reference on the issue see In Valley Daily bulletin on 2/6/21 – Newsom says state will revise indoor worship guides after Supreme Court ruling.