Holy Week 2020
Easter Sunday
April 12, 2020 • Steve Brown
When our dreams are taken away, the Lord has the words of eternal life that matter most. In coming to terms with the postponement of the 2020 Olympics, Olympic hopeful, Allyson Felix, wrote recently, “This has been a sobering reminder that we are not owed our dreams.” The COVID-19 pandemic has been a sobering reminder that our dreams often do no come true and we experience disappointment and loss in life that can be crushing. John 6 records a turning point in the ministry of Jesus when it appeared that the mission dreams Jesus’ disciples seem to fall apart. When Jesus asked them whether they wanted to leave the mission, Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Certainly when Jesus was executed on the cross, the disciples thought their mission dreams has been crushed. When Jesus rose from the dead, his words of eternal life became real and the basis of our hope for the future. We are not owed our dreams and sometimes our dreams are threatened or taken away. In those times, it is especially important to rest our hope in the future on Jesus and his words of eternal life. Next Step: If you have a dream that seems threatened or has been take away, use these words of Peter to help you cope, “Lord, to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life.”
Good Friday
April 10, 2020 • St Luke Preachers
The Word of Forgiveness - "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34 - Speaker: Robert Flagg The Word of Promise - "Today you shall be with me in paradise." Luke 23:43 - Speaker: Carrie Whatley The Word of Love - "Woman, behold your son! Behold your mother!" John 19:26-27 - Speaker: Mary Lou Owens The Word of Loneliness - "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46 - Speaker: Colleen Zielke The Word of Suffering - "I thirst." John 19:28 - Speaker: Emily Reese The Word of Victory - "It is finished." John 19:30 - Speaker: Pastor Steve Brown The Word of Trust - "Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit." Luke 23:46 - Speaker: Pastor Mike Weaver
Maundy Thursday
April 9, 2020 • Mike Weaver
We’re reminded that Jesus took the lowest place to serve those around him. He’s always moving lower, so that we move higher. His selfless, kind and generous service on behalf of his friends brightens the room and their experience with light. It is an example that we follow as disciples. We “adorn the darkness” of this world through generous acts of service. Next Step: Take the lowest place with others. As the apostle Paul writes in Romans 13:8-10, we are indebted to one another to love one another.
Palm Sunday
April 5, 2020 • Mike Weaver
Today, we encounter the paradox that defines our faith: Jesus Christ is glorified king and humiliated servant. We too are full of paradox: like Peter, we fervently desire to follow Christ, but find ourselves afraid, denying God. We wave palms in celebration today as Christ comes into our midst, and we follow with trepidation as his path leads to death on the cross. Amid it all we are invited into this paradoxical promise of life through Christ’s broken body and outpoured love in a meal of bread and wine. We begin this week that stands at the center of the church year, anticipating the completion of God’s astounding work.