Worship This Week
Holy Week begins…
Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023
Text: Matthew 21:1-11
Matthew 26-27, selected verses
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
This Sunday –
Narrative Lectionary
Week 28
Holy Week begins with the story of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, where the crowds met him with joyful cries of “Hosanna!” But as we know, by week’s end, those voices cry out, “Crucify him!”
This Sunday we will read through the Holy Week story as told by the Gospel of Matthew. The usual service elements will be absent. We’ll begin with the palm procession, sing a hymn, have Discovery Time and a brief prayer then begin reading the rest of the story: the Last Supper (during which we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper*), the arrest in the garden, Peter’s denial of Jesus, Jesus’ trial, crucifixion and burial. We will sing Holy Week hymns throughout (Go to Dark Gethsemane, O Sacred Head Now Wounded, What Wondrous Love Is This). There is no sermon as we allow the story to speak for itself.
Find this week’s bulletin online here
Paper bulletins are available in the sanctuary.
*Please make us aware if you need a gluten free option or have other dietary restrictions so that we can welcome you safely to the Lord’s table! You are always welcome to bring your own bread option.
Find Our Worship Online
Join us on Facebook or YouTube beginning at 9:20 (to enjoy the prelude; service begins at 9:30) for a LIVE stream of the service!
To find us on Facebook, search “First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon, Iowa.”
To find us on YouTube, search “FirstPresMV” to find our channel, then click on LIVE. 
SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS SUNDAY
Children PreK and older are invited to head to Sunday School with their teachers after we have celebrated the Lord’s Supper together.
QUARTERLY CONGREGATIONAL CONVERSATION THIS SUNDAY
Following worship this Sunday, April 2, all are invited to remain in the sanctuary for a time of conversation about various things happening in the church, including the AV System, our involvement with the MVL Child Care Solutions, potential fundraising activities, and other upcoming events.
COOPERATIVE YOUTH GROUP – ROOTED
Youth Grades 6 and older are invited to join us for this cooperative youth ministry led by First Pres MV, Seeds of Faith Lutheran and the MV United Methodist Church.
Wednesday, April 4, 6:30-8:00pm at the UMC for Food, Fellowship, Fun and Faith!
EASTER SUNDAY POTLUCK BRUNCH!
The Walsh and Wunder-Bonewald families will be sharing a potluck Easter brunch in the social hall after worship next Sunday. Quiche, bacon and biscuits are on the menu so far. All are welcome to join us, whether you can bring anything to share or not. An RSVP is helpful but not required.
NEW MEMBERS’ CLASS COMING SOON
We have several people interested in becoming members of First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon. If this is something you would like more information about, please let Pastor Lori Wunder know ([email protected] or 319-431-2227).
CAMP WYOMING–REGISTER FOR SUMMER FUN!
Registration for summer programs for elementary, middle, and high school youth is open! Click here to check out what Camp Wyoming has to offer your kids this summer. Our congregation believes so much in this Christian camp experience that we will pay your child’s way.
THANK YOU, MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEERS!
We had a terrific response to our appeal for volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels to neighbors in Mount Vernon during the month of April. All the dates are accounted for! Thank you!
FIRST PRES MV & MVL CHILD CARE SOLUTIONS
If you don’t have young children in your life, you may not be aware that there is a challenging shortage of childcare options in our communities. Community stakeholders met about this crisis last fall and various committees are exploring all the options, including the possibility of using our nursery to provide childcare for infants. Pastor Lori and Carol Daly are looking into whether our space meets the state’s requirements. the MVL Child Care Solutions work group is looking for an entrepreneur to run a daycare. The goal is not to provide income for our church, but to be of service to our community. We will keep you posted as things develop.
PER CAPITA PAYMENT
Each Presbyterian congregation shares in the financial support for the work of the wider denomination at the presbytery, synod and national level. This support is called Per Capita, an amount per member apportioned by the member presbytery (in our case, the Presbytery of East Iowa). Our congregation’s per capita is $40.70 per member, or $5403 total. We invite you to consider contributing $40.70 per member of your family to help cover this expense. Thank you!
VBS–SAVE THE DATES!
Vacation Bible School has been set for Monday, June 12 through Friday, June 16 from 1:00-4:00 each day at Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church. Mark your calendars and plan to have your kids, PreK through Grade 6 be part of the fun! Cooperatively led by First Pres MV, Seeds of Faith Lutheran and the Mount Vernon UMC.
CHURCH CALENDAR
Sunday, April 2 – Palm Sunday
8:15am – Choir rehearsal in Community Room
9:15am – Nursery care is available
9:30am – Worship in the Sanctuary & Online
Sunday School for PreK and older during worship
10:30am – Coffee Hour in Social Hall
10:30am – Quarterly Congregational Conversation
Tuesday, April 4
1:00-3:00pm – Church Office Hours
Wednesday, April 5
6:30-8:00pm – Youth Group at UMC
Friday, April 7
9:00am-12:00pm – Church Office Hours
Sunday, April 9 – Easter Sunday
8:15am – Choir rehearsal in Community Room
9:15am – Nursery care is available
9:30am – Worship in the Sanctuary & Online
10:45am – Potluck Easter Brunch in Social Hall
Monday, April 10
6:30pm – Session in Community Room