The Awe of Holy Week

When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died.
My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride.

Issac Watts penned those words in 1707.  They are such powerful words that tell the amazing story.  As I look ahead to the events of Holy Week those words run through my thoughts.

The excitement and joy of Palm Sunday still lingers in my mind, as we all participated in the Palm Sunday story.  The joy was contagious as our children sang and we all shouted “Hosanna!  Hosanna in the Highest!”

Soon we will gather again, on Maundy Thursday at 7:00pm, to remember Jesus’ final gathering with his disciples in the Upper Room.  The joy of the Passover feast turning into the somberness of the Last Supper.  “This is my body, broken for you.  This is my blood, shed for the forgiveness of your sins.”  The confusion as Jesus tells of his betrayal by one of the twelve.  How quickly things change as the plan is set in motion.  How quickly joy turns to sorrow and hope turns into despair.  Our worship will walk us through Jesus final hours, from the celebration of the Last Supper to his final words from the cross as the gathering darkness falls upon us.

Good Friday I invite you to come for a time of meditation and prayer as you walk The Journey to the Cross.  These experiential prayer stations will take us on a journey with Jesus from the Garden to the Tomb.   The Sanctuary will be open from noon-3:00pm for a self-guided journey of prayer and reflection.

My hope is that you find time these next few days to pause and remember the importance of all that happened this week in the life of Jesus.  This is the week that changed our lives.  This is what our faith is all about – Jesus incredible love for each one of us!  He was willing to die a horrible death for your sake and mine.

Love so amazing so divine.  Demands my soul my life my all.

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

P.S. I look forward with great anticipation to celebrating Resurrection Sunday with you and your loved ones!  

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

     - Isaiah 53:5

Wandering Heart: "Songs of Loudest Praise"

Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise

-Come Thou Font of Every Blessing

This Sunday we begin the long road to Easter.  Holy week is my favorite time of the entire church year!  I have always loved every moment of it from the pomp and pageantry of Palm Sunday to the solemnity of Good Friday to the celebration of Resurrection Sunday. 

There is something so special about Palm Sunday with the waving of the palm branches by the children as we sing hymns of Jesus Triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  The joyfulness of that moment as we sing and shout, Hosanna! Hosanna!  Hosanna! 

Then there are the emotions of the disciples as they celebrate the Passover feast.  The joy around the table takes a sharp turn as Jesus speaks of what is to take place in the next few hours.  It is the somberness of Maundy Thursday that finds me catching my breath, as we share in the Last Supper, remembering the sacrifice Christ would make for us. 

Then to the agony of the garden, as Jesus prays so hard he sweats blood.  There in the Mount of Olives, with olive trees that are bent and gnarled, Jesus wrestles with what is to come.  It is there that he prays for us, for those that would follow.  It is there in the garden that he accepts his destiny, the excruciating pain and agony that is to come.

From the Garden things move fast.  A trial, a mockery of a trial really, as Jesus goes from authority to authority with no one wanting to make the final decision.  Finally, after hours of standing and questioning, Pilate gives the final decision to the people…Crucify Him! The crowd that only a few short days earlier was shouting, “Hosanna”, is now chanting “Crucify Him!”

The long road then leads to the cross.  Capital punishment that was saved for the most heinous of criminals.  It is on that hill, on that cross, that Christ’s life had been leading to from the moment of his birth.  “It is Finished,” were the last words he spoke that day.

But the story doesn’t end there…it is to be continued.  (I don’t want to spoil the ending!) 

Holy Week for me is about the anticipation of what is to come.  We know the story, we know the happy ending, but my challenge to us to not to rush to the end but instead may we sit together, with all the emotions that come as Jesus walks the long road ahead.  Palm Sunday is just the beginning…looking forward to starting this journey with you this week!

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

  - Mark 11:10

Wandering Heart: "Teach Me"

Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above

-Come Thou Font of Every Blessing

Would you say you have a teachable spirit?  Are you open to learning new things…maybe old things in new ways?

Years ago, I was taught that we are lifelong learners.  We continue to learn every day that we draw breath.  I recently read an article that states, “a lifelong learner is a person who continues to learn new skills and competencies long after they have completed their formal education. It involves nurturing a curious mind about the world and a willingness to pursue knowledge about whatever areas or subjects that interest you.”  Would this describe you?

I would describe myself as a curious person.  I love to learn new things, explore new places, take things apart and study how they work.  I love the discovery process!  I am curious about peoples’ thoughts on subjects I am familiar with as well as new ideas… perhaps that is why I have so many books that I have yet to read! 

As a lifelong learner we have to maintain an open mind or a teachable spirit…there is always some nugget to be gleaned. I see that in Peter’s life.  He was a great question asker!  Asking Jesus to explain further a parable he just shared or a lesson he taught to the crowd.  He wasn’t afraid or even hesitant to ask any question…even when he thought he knew the answer!

Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.

Friends, may we strive to have a teachable spirit, to be open to learning new things or seeing old things in new ways.  May we continue to be curious, to ask questions even if we think we know the answer.  Peter did that as he sat at the feet of the Master.  May we never stop saying, “Teach Me!” and may we never stop learning. 

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.

-Come Thou Font of Every Blessing

Wandering Heart: "I’m Fixed Upon It"

Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love

-Come Thou Font of Every Blessing

This week on our journey with Peter we get a glimpse at another pivotal moment.  Peter has just declared that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God—a mountaintop experience of unwavering faith. Yet, he immediately faces a reality that challenges his understanding of Jesus and faith itself. (Matthew 16:21-28) 

Have you ever been so focused on something that when plans change you are left lost and confused, uncertain how to proceed?  That was Peter…his proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah, his belief in who Jesus was and what he would accomplish did not include Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection. Peter was so focused on the idea of a Messiah he lost sight of Jesus’ plan.  And like a good friend he pulls Jesus aside to “talk some sense into him!”  This leads to a rebuke from Jesus: “Get behind me, Satan!” It’s a sharp reminder that sometimes our well-intentioned desires to protect and preserve can become stumbling blocks to fulfilling our calling.

What are the things you are “Fixed Upon?”  How do your plans align with those God has for you?  Are you and your plans flexible? 

 Praise the Mount, I’m fixed upon it.  Mount of thy redeeming love.

Friends may we seek the things God has in store for us, to not be so fixed on our own ideas or agendas that we lose sight of God’s plans.  Peter thought he was doing the right thing, taking Jesus aside and encouraging him to go in a different direction.  The problem was Peter couldn’t see the bigger picture, he didn’t know all that Jesus knew.  May we open our eyes and hearts to see God in our midst and follow His lead.

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.

-Come Thou Font of Every Blessing