Sunday is Palm Sunday.
It is a day we celebrate Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and begin
what is commonly referred to as “Holy Week,” which extends from today through
Easter. In one week the Good News of
Jesus will be proclaimed meaningfully in many ways. It is a week that shapes our identity and
community together. .
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem Palm Sunday, people sold him
short. They thought he would be an
earthly leader of a revolt that would throw off the yoke of Roman domination. Even though Jesus said many times that it was
necessary for the Son of Man to suffer, die, and three days later rise, people
didn’t comprehend it. So they waved Palm
branches and cheered as he entered Jerusalem hoping for what would amount in
baseball terms to Jesus hitting a “single.”
Little did anyone know that Jesus came to overthrow sin and death and
bring us close to the loving reign of God Almighty forever. Jesus came to hit a “home run!” That was just too huge for even his disciples
to grasp! It’s hard for us to fathom today!
So today we cheer Jesus Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem, but
there is much more to the story. One
needs the events during the middle of Holy Week to get the full picture. We join together on Maundy Thursday in
Fellowship Hall at 5:45 p.m. around tables shaped in a cross to hear how Jesus
will become the Lamb of God that takes the sin of the world, even as he is
betrayed by one of his own. Our
Sanctuary will be draped in black as we gather Friday night at 7:00 to hear the
Seven Last Words of Christ ending in “Father into thy hands I commit my Spirit”
as he breathes his last. Saturday
morning Eastminster hints at New Life as we tell the whole gospel story, hunt
Easter eggs and do Easter crafts at 10:30 with kids of all ages from the church
and community at 10:30 a.m. That night
at 6 p.m. we host a Vigil which involves drama and beauty in telling the
salvation story … up to a point. Then
Easter morning at 6:30 a.m. Sunrise, 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. the story becomes
complete with the shouts of “His is risen!”
“He is risen indeed!” If all
service times are convenient for you on Easter, come to the 8:30 to help
balance the parking. Don’t skip the
events between Palm Sunday and Easter.
Participating through the week allows one to experience the whole
story!
Thanks to the many, many hands, hearts and voices who are
contributing to a meaningful lent and Holy Week at Eastminster. You are wonderful!
May All Have a Blessed Holy Week!
Pastor Tim
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