Love God
Grow Together
Serve the World
Worship Services
We live stream our Sunday Worship.
SUNDAYS
Worship + Kids Club & Youth Group 10:00 AM
135 E Larch St, Rhinelander, WI 54501
COMMUNITY HOUR
Enjoy coffee and conversation following worship.
Join us online for livestream worship on our Facebook page.
We are an open and affirming congregation, where no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey—you are welcome here.
We live stream our Worship.
Holy Week
Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026
10:00 a.m. In-person and Facebook worship
Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2026
6:00 p.m. Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 21 W. Timber Drive
Good Friday, April 3, 2026
7:00 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 724 Arbutus Street
Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026
10:00 a.m. In- Person and Facebook worship
Brunch to follow + Egg Hunt for the kids!
Join us online for livestream worship on our Facebook page.
We are an open and affirming congregation, where no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey—you are welcome here.
Next 7 Days of Events
The Rocks Will Croak
Jesus answered, “I tell you, if [my disciples] were silent, the stones would shout out.” – Luke 19:40 (NRSV)
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday. The whole multitude of disciples will flood the roadside with shouts of praise and cries of solidarity as Jesus makes his way into Jerusalem. It’s a crowd so big and loud, we’d never hear what the rocks have to say, no matter how loud they scream.
As Jesus turns toward the cross, his followers get quieter and quieter. His friends see the reality of arrest, trial, and crucifixion, and they disperse through acts of betrayal, denial, and silence. Is that when we hear the stones?
The Greek verb, krazo, is usually translated as “cry” or “shout out,” as it is in reference to stones here in Luke. Krazo is used frequently when people cry out for Jesus, seeking a release from suffering or danger. Jesus always hears and always responds.
The first definition of krazo in a Greek dictionary, however, is “croak,” like a frog: these rocks will start croaking. If it’s not absurd enough that stones might start screaming in the face of an oppressive empire to proclaim that Jesus comes in the name of the Lord for the salvation of all people, imagine if they started ribbiting. God will do whatever it takes to get God’s point across.
As we head into the deepest part of the Lenten wilderness, we might notice the steadfast sounds of creation, even when the support of human community falls short. Jesus trusted that he would never truly walk the lonesome valley by himself. He carried the assurance that God will do whatever it takes to get the point across, even when people fall silent. In the dark and lonesome valley, the rocks will start to croak. Perhaps the bushes will roar. The stars will purr. The streams will sing birdsongs. God, ever-present, will never fall silent.
Prayer
God of the boisterous parade and the lonesome valley, tune us to hear the unexpected ways you break through the silence, and remind us that we are never alone.
About the AuthorJoanna D’Agostino is the Senior Pastor at Lakewood Congregational Church in Lakewood, Ohio.
ABout UCC
A church of firsts and of extravagant welcome. A church where "they may all be one" (John 17:21).
The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a distinct and diverse community of Christians who come together as one church to join faith and action. With over 5,000 churches and nearly one million members across the U.S., the UCC serves God in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world.
Since 1957, the United Church of Christ has been the church of firsts, weaving God’s message of hope and extravagant welcome with action for justice and peace. Together, we live out our faith in ways that effect change in our communities. Our church works to help make a difference in local, national and global communities.
