Blessed Sunday and Holy Week to you all!

Bruce got home safely this afternoon in time for dinner and Harry Potter. Thank you for your prayers for his safe return.

Today in worship our music directors also returned to worship after six weeks of maternity leave. They brought their beautiful baby for all of us to see. She is absolutely beautiful and was perfect during church. It was so great to have them back at the keyboard and microphone.

Today’s sermon was preached about the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The theme of Pastor’s sermon was “The Party’s Over.” Jesus entered the streets of Jerusalem on the back of a borrowed donkey to tread on the palm branches and clothing of the citizens and visitors to Jerusalem. At that triumphal entry the Pharisees were already getting the lynch mob together, a traitor among the disciples had been selected and the trial by night was set. The week that follows is one of saying good-bye, torture, betrayal, death in its most cruel form and finally a triumphant resurrection.

But the party being over is about knowing that the death of Jesus meant the party was over for the Pharisees. With all of their plotting and planning they still could not overcome the plan God had put in place from the creation of the earth and all its inhabitants to the miraculous birth of a Savior and His glorious resurrection. Sin had been defeated and Jesus reigns victorious.

So my friends, walk the streets of Jerusalem and be a part of the crowd. Read the Passion of Jesus in the gospels this week. Attend a Maundy Thursday Service to celebrate and remember the Last Supper Jesus spent with His disciples. Participate in a Service of Darkness on Friday and experience the last hours of the life of Jesus as he is crucified. And on Sunday attend a celebration like none other as Jesus is raised from the tomb in glorious resurrection.

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Lift each other up in prayer. Remember that each of us is fighting some sort of battle. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.