Holy Week has been called the 8 days of Easter you need to know. This year, Holy Week begins this Sunday, April 10 with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday, April 17. During this one week, many biblical prophesies were fulfilled. Jesus came to earth to save humanity by dying on the cross on Good Friday and resurrecting on Easter Sunday. I like to refer to Easter Sunday as Resurrection Sunday! By enduring and defeating death sacrificially for us, He swung open the gates of heaven making a way for our sin to be forgiven and usher us into the presence of God.
This past Sunday, we began a new teaching series called “Risen”. A one word description of the most important even in history; a one word explanation of how Christianity began; and a one word account of how a small band of disciples could launch a world-wide movement that has lasted over 2000 years. Risen. This Sunday is Palm Sunday. It celebrates the coming of Jesus into Jerusalem the week he was crucified. The people were excited and expectant about Jesus’ triumphal entry. He was welcomed as a victorious king. He surely was a King, but more of a king that they had imagined. As they joyfully welcomed Jesus, they had hope. They were hoping for something only God could do. No one expected God to do it this way!
The Good Friday Worship service is Friday, April 15 at 7:00 PM. This is a contemplative worship experience that focuses on the sacrifice and suffering of our Lord Jesus. Designed to help us remember just how much God did love the world and each one of us. Here is a powerful quote: He drained the cup of God's wrath bone dry, leaving not a drop for us to drink. I hope you will join us for this night of reflection, communion. We remember Good Friday is only good because of Resurrection Sunday!
And then, Resurrection Sunday, Easter! Risen Redeemer: Look What God Has Done! He is risen! He is risen indeed! I love the joyful celebration, the new outfits, the blooming flowers, the packed services…I love Resurrection Sunday and the message that it brings to us. Make plans to join us on Sunday, April 17 at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM. Spring shows what God can do with a dirty and drab world. Resurrection Sunday shows what God can do with our sin, our guilt, with death and the grave!
As one wonderful wit has said “Easter is not about the bunny…it is about the Lamb!” The Lamb of God was slain and now the Lamb of God is RISEN! He is risen indeed.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing,
Pastor Tom
