This Sunday • “Jesus Is Our Grave Robber” • John 11:1-45; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:1-11 • Week 5 of our “This Is Jesus” Sermon Series. Some have described the Season of Lent as a journey, going with Jesus as He makes His way to Jerusalem, to the cross, to the grave, and then at Easter, to the empty tomb. As we journey with Jesus through the Scripture, we get to see what He is like, who He is, what He does. We also get to consider what this all means for us in our context, and by insights and understanding given by the Holy Spirit, applying these things to our lives. Our Scripture focus will be the Gospel lessons appointed for each Sunday.
April 2 “Jesus Is the Salvation Bringer” – John 12:12-19; Psalm 118:19-29; Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11
NEW! To view or print Sunday’s 9am Worship bulletin:
https://poporlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023_03_26-Lent-5.pdf
Bible Classes
Adult Sunday Morning Bible Class at 10:00 am • The class is led by Jim Essig. We are looking at the Gospel of Luke. Classes are in the Music Room during our 10:00 am Education Hour, between the 9 am & 11 am worship services.
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR AGE 4 – GRADE 5: Foundations of Faith • Kids will make crafts, play games, and learn the basic truths about God using both Old Testament and New Testament stories. Kids will walk away from each class with a new “God is…” statement (i.e. “God is powerful” or “God is kind”) and what it means that we are God’s people. Sunday School meets upstairs in the Family Life Center classrooms from 10:00-10:45 on Sunday mornings.
“Kid Video” every week: Did you know that DCE Eric Gerken produces a weekly kid video that ties into the Foundations of Faith lesson? Great for kids, families, and adults. The video is posted weekly to our Facebook and YouTube channels. (Tip: start a faith-conversation with your kids or grandkids using that video as a starting place.)
YOUTH SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS (6th-12th) • “Word One Bible Studies” – a mixture of discussion and experiential learning – come check it out – in the far, upstairs classroom in the Family Life Center from 10:00am-10:45am.
Mid-week Bible Class for Adults • Wednesday Mornings 9:30am – 10:30am in the Board Room. Our topic is looking at Scriptures for the upcoming Sunday’s theme. Led by Pastor Ken.
Lunch & Zilch – This Wednesday, March 29 at 12:00pm • Jim Essig is hosting another Lunch & Zilch this Wednesday right after the Lenten service and lunch. Please RSVP to Jim by text or email on Monday, March 27th. Winners will get a prize! | Cell: (407)446-7147 | jim.essig@poporlando.com
Midweek Lenten Worship – Wednesday at 11:00 am – Light lunch to follow • Series: “40 Days” • This week is our final mid-week Lenten service. We are blessed to have Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Zehnder sharing God’s word about the 40 years Israel was in the wilderness, “Testing In the Wilderness: Wilderness Wandering” (Deuteronomy 8:1-18; 2:1–7; 29:4–6; Joshua 5:6). Thank you to Kathy McCartin and the ladies of the LWML who have made the lunch gatherings following worship such an opportunity to connect with each other.
Devotional resources: https://www.lhm.org/lent/ and devotions produced by leaders in the Florida Georgia District can be found at https://flgadistrict.org/lentendevotions/
David Ludwig, Jr., to be Director of Worship and Music at PoP/PdeP • David Ludwig, Jr., accepted our invitation to serve as Director of Worship and Music and he will begin his ministry here on Sunday, April 23, two weeks after Easter. We continue to keep David and his wife, Janet, in our prayers during this time of transition, as well praying for Redeemer Lutheran in Winter Park where David is concluding 14 years of ministry.
Easter Egg Hunt – Spread the Word! Saturday, April 1 at 9am – 12pm • Spread the word and join us for our annual easter egg hunt here at PoP/PdeP. There will be traditional Egg Hunts for kids starting every 15 minutes, craft and carnival game station with prizes, raffles for gift cards, Kona Ice Truck, lots of candy and more!
Stellar VBS 2023 Registration is Now OPEN! • VBS will blast off on June 12-16 from 9:00am – 12:15pm daily for kids Age 4- Grade 5. Launch kids on a cosmic quest where they’ll have a blast shining Jesus’ light to the world. Stellar rockets kids on an out-of-this-world adventure that’s light years of faith-building fun. Contact DCE Eric Gerken for more information. | https://vbspro.events/p/events/0ae9c2 | eric.gerken@poporlando.com
LWML Spring Rally – Saturday, April 15 at 7:30am – RSVP by Monday, April 3 • The women of PoP welcome all ladies from the churches in the Greater Orlando Zone and all guest to the LWML Spring Rally for a day of fellowship, Bible study and songs. Registration is $10 and will begin at 8am-8:45am the day of with coffee, juice, and pastries. Make checks available to Greater Orlando Zone LWML. RSVP to Kathy McCartin. kathymccartin@gmail.com | (407)286-7288
Altar Flowers • To sponsor Altar Flowers in celebration of a special occasion, in memory of a loved one, or simply out of thanksgiving to God, you can do so at https://poporlando.breezechms.com/form/flowers or by contacting the office.
Easter Lilies: Your above-and-beyond gift to support Easter lilies helps beautify our worship spaces at Easter. Please fill out the online form with payment or contact the church office. | https://poporlando.breezechms.com/form/lilies
PoP Preschool • Do you know someone who might be looking for an amazing preschool for their child? While our infant and 1y/o classes are full, we still have limited openings for 2y/o through VPK. Call (407) 275-6703 to learn more!
Fruits of Faith
March 19
9:00 Traditional: 110 | 11:00 Contemporary: 49 | 11:00 Spanish: 61 | TOTAL: 220
March 22 Midweek Lenten Worship: 43
Giving: Thank you for your faithful engagement in our ministry through your gifts and offerings.
March 5 offerings $11,883
March 12 offerings $7,132
March 19 offerings $11,183
needed each week: $11,923
PRAYERS
Prayers for Comfort: Karin Collins (friend of Nina Cavalli-Rojas)
Hospitalized: Brandon Tedford | Recovering: Chris Akerman, Leidy Martinez, Rose O’Neil, Pam Robertson
Healing and Strength: Karen Adkins, Dave & Mary Ann Ault, Rebecca Brooks, Delores B, Michael B, Donna C, Danny Conlin, Alice Darling, Elizabeth Dawson, Eleanor Eaton, Gail Eaton, baby Elijah, John Elmore, Carol Fennell, Judy & Jim Finnie, Rev. Dennis Glander, Noah Glasberger & family, Michael Halstead, Joe Heinz, Bill Jordan, Jerry Jordan, Merle Kroeplin, Joan Krumpholc, Jim Lord, Michael McCarty, George Meder, Lewis Mendez, baby Eli Muchama, Rick Perre, Dorothy Reynolds, Miriam Rivera, Nitza Rohena, Rex Serio, Cindy Sibley, Shirley Stockett, Meridith Swanson (wrist, back), Gwen Taliver, Sonia Tellez, Cricket Winters, Leon W, Linda Zamsky
Receiving Treatments: Barbara Browne, Sarah vB, Kent Jespersen, Rev. Brian Roberts, Elena Santana, Marleen Schmidt, Cathy Smith, Jeff S, Joni Steidly, Janet V, Debbie W, Nikki Wernsing, Dayton Whites, Brenda Williams
Continued Care: Chuck Boogher, Kelly DeFrietas, Al & Linda Dicks, Bob and Colleen E, Linda House, Minnie Hutchinson, Linda Jackson, Otto Krumpholc, Mary K.M, Sal LoBue, Joyce Miller, Todd O, Annette Royal, Betty Schnell, Caitlyn Thoms, Juan Torres, Michael, Noel, & Roger V, Harry Wahl
Special: Lord Jesus, You have power over all things, including death itself. Help us to trust in You above all things; to listen to Your voice; to bring You glory in this world. Help us to say, “Yes, Lord, I believe.” • We thank the Lord that we could serve so many at our Food Pantry on Saturday. We ask the Lord to bless our Easter outreach: the Community Easter Egg Hunt where families hear the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection; the personal invitations people will extending to family and friends friends to worship at Holy Week and Easter; all follow up and connections that arise from our ministry, that many would come under Your gracious reign, Jesus. • We pray for peace and hope in our world through the power of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. • We ask the Lord to be with President Biden, members of Congress, and the Supreme Court, as well as all state and local leaders. • We pray for those who serve our nation in the armed services. We also ask the Lord to watch over and keep our first responders safe.
Preschool Prayers—Class of the Month: This month we pray for our friends in the Butterfly Class (1 year old) – Ms. Norma, Amelia, Erick, Julian, Marlen, Remi. We ask the Lord to keep these little ones in His constant care and to pour out His blessings upon their families.
Holy Week & Easter Schedule
Community Easter Egg Hunt – Saturday, April 1, 9:00-12:00
Palm Sunday, April 2 – English: 9am & 11am | Español: 11am • Celebrating the Triumphal Entry and marking the beginning of Holy Week, Palm Sunday services have deep and rich theological significance for our faith.
Maundy Thursday, April 6 – English: 6pm | Español: 7:30pm • A special service focusing on the institution and meaning of the Lord’s Supper, especially in relation to our Lords Passion.
Good Friday, April 7 – English: 11am & 6pm | Español: 7:30pm • Good Friday focuses especially on the suffering and death of our lord Jesus Christ. This year’s Tenebrae (service of darkness) will reflect on the last seven words of Christ from the cross.
Easter Sunday, April 9 – He is Risen!
6:30am Easter SONrise in the Memorial Garden/Courtyard
9:00am Traditional Festival Worship | Sanctuary
11:00am Contemporary Worship | FLC
11:00am Pascua de Resurreccion | Templo
Holy Communion will be offered at all our Easter worship services.
*Church office & Preschool Closed for Monday, April 10. (Easter Monday) *
News Extra—Around Campus – Facility Upgrades and Renovations
Old Library (off of Kitchen) – new flooring; removal of stored items/clutter and dated bookshelves | purpose: to create an attractive, functional workspace and meeting area, giving a fresh look to an area preschool families and church members walk past 7 days a week | Cost: $2,100, funding source: Significant Gift of Mission and Ministry ($383,000 of the $1M “M&M Gift” was set aside for Renovation, Aesthetics, Improvements, and Safety)
Preschool “Baby Room” (Old Preschool Office) – new flooring and cabinets | purpose: safe, clean, and special place for our “littles”; eliminate source of insect pests (old cabinet) | Cost: $3,100, funding source: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, grant distributed through state of Florida
New Monument for Memorial Garden – Lack of space for new name plates has necessitated purchase of an additional granite monument for the Prince of Peace/Príncipe de Paz Memorial Garden. The monument has been ordered and will be installed after Easter. Funding for the new monument will come from a mix of special donations (thank you to those who have given leading gifts!) and existing funds in the Bastien Memorial Account. Cost: just under $11,000. Would you like to contribute a gift above and beyond your regular offerings to the new monument? Please contact Chief of Staff/Bookkeeper Pam Fuller in the church office to learn more (pam.fuller@poporlano.com).
Campus Cleaning and Work Party – Help get the Lord’s house ready for our Resurrection celebrations at Easter! We have tentatively planned a “beautification day” for the Saturday of Holy Week, April 8. Please express your interest by email Pam Fuller pam.fuller@poporlando.com or contacting the church office.
Staff Contacts:
Rev. Ken Green, Senior Pastor ken.green@poporlando.com
Rev. Adolfo Borges, Assoc. Pastor adolfo.borges@poporlando.com
Deaconess Ligia Borges, Outreach ligia.morales@poporlando.com
DCE Eric Gerken, Families and Youth eric.gerken@poporlando.com
Anne Dobbins, Preschool Director anne.dobbins@poporlando.com
Jim Essig, Senior Adult Ministry jim.essig@poporlando.com
Pam Fuller, Operations/Bookkeeper pam.fuller@poporlando.com
Adriana Alas, Administrative Assist. adriana.alas@poporlando.com