Holy Week Preview - Palm Sunday to Easter

This Sunday: 10:30am –  Palm Sunday: “Purveyors of Awe: Self-Giving” Rev. Christopher Eshelman preaching. Scriptures: Psalm 118:14-29 and Luke 19:28-48 (and review Luke 4:1-13).

This Lenten season, we have followed Jesus through the chapters of Luke, around the sea of Galilee, and towards Jerusalem. We have seen and heard him teaching and healing in challenging ways. As we approach the end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week, we give thanks for a rich season of awe-filled practices. We have explored what it is to be “purveyors of awe”–those who advocate for more Beauty, Wonder, Meaning, Curiosity, Delight, and Connection. A sense of awe can include witnessing acts of “moral beauty.” Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem was such an act as he continued his ministry of lifting up the cause of the lowly and advocating for the power of peace and justice. Research shows that when we witness with awe others’ kindness, courage, strength, and overcoming, we are more likely to feel inspired to give ourselves in service of the good. We become more self-giving, more ready to lend a helping hand or commit energy to making the world a better place. Sunday we will hear from Luke 19 and focus on the prophetic nature of Jesus’ actions – from a parade down the Mount of Olives, entering into Jerusalem riding a colt, to cleansing the temple – with symbolic action and days of teaching there. It’s important to focus on what Luke says and to see these actions in connection, building upon each other as a call for repentance and holistic justice.

Our Psalm today features alternating voices representing individuals and community coming together in praise and thanksgiving – for Christians, it both proclaims and celebrates what we will see happen through Holy Week and into Easter, proclaiming that “the Lord has become our salvation.” It asks us to consider deeply who this one who comes in the name of the Lord is and how we respond. Is Christ the cornerstone of our lives? What allegiances distract us from that? Do we shout loud Hosanna’s with our lips only, or with our lives?

Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week. Everything Jesus does is a part of what Easter means and a call to us - for repentance and an intentional choosing of the new life Jesus offers. That life begins not – as we sang recently – just in “some heaven light years away” but “here in this place.” This is the day! Now is the time! As we celebrate, during the sermon we will again look back to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and his time in the wilderness. Jesus is tempted. Satan offers temptations of control, power, and lack of consequences. Jesus rebukes these temptations and instead offers himself – through his life and ministry in ways that exemplify connection, compassion, sacrifice, and community.

During Holy Week, we will reflect on Jesus’ choices. We will journey with him to dark Gethsemane, towards the cross and tomb, that we too might resist temptation, and we too might claim and proclaim eternal life. You are invited to journey with us – from the trumpet fanfares on Palm Sunday, to special 7pm services on Maundy Thursday with prayer stations engaging our creativity and inviting awe and wonder. Then on Friday at 7pm we’ll engage with the ancient tradition of Stations of the Cross, using a series of reflections on Scripture to trace Jesus’ journey on the Via Dolorosa, the way of the Cross. Finally, on Easter Sunday, we will rejoice. For Jesus’ way defeats the powers of sin and death. Christ is Risen, indeed! All these times of worship and reflection are in our Sanctuary at 301 S. National.

We can give ourselves to the cause at any moment and join the journey of Jesus. God forgives us. Jesus embraces us. The Spirit enlivens us. We are made whole. With awe, we accept this belovedness. And all God’s people say, “Amen!” 

Upcoming Events: 

Wednesday, April 16th Feeding Families in His Name:  This “to-go” meal is distributed under the portico at 301 S. National. This free meal is available to everyone without obligation. A reminder: Please do not block nearby driveways while waiting. Thank you. If you would like to support this ministry, you can make donations online at: www.firstumcfortscott.org/onlinegiving. 

Thursday, April 17th – 7pm Maundy Thursday service. We will remember the last supper Jesus shares with his disciples and enter deeply into the mystery and wonder of Easter by sharing Holy Communion and spending time at several interactive prayer stations featuring unexpected opportunities to engage using bubbles, play-doh, notecards, water basins and more. Come and enter into the stories of Jesus with awe!

Friday, April 18th  - 7pm Good Friday. This day as we remember Jesus suffering and death on the cross and dare to call the day good because of the liberation it brings us, overcoming our own sin and brokenness, you are again invited to visit a series of prayer stations enacting an ancient practice known as stations of the cross, where we will use art and icons to prayerfully consider Jesus journey on the Via Dolorosa. These special services will prepare our hearts and minds to truly experience resurrection and rejoice on Easter Sunday.

Sunday, April 20th – Join us at 10:30am for a celebration of the empty tomb. Christ is Risen, Indeed!

Friday, April 25th – Aging Forward returns – each 4th Friday afternoon at 1pm we’ll offer a chance for retired adults (and anyone else interested) to hear from local speakers about all sorts of topics and share a time of conversation and fellowship. Light refreshments provided. Mark your calendar and join in the fun! This month we’ll hear from Riggs Chiropractic about healthy living options and our own Jean Tucker reminiscing on how Feeding Families got started, celebrating that we’ve now served over 176,000 meals, and helping us consider what we might be called to do in community today!