Waving Holy Week On Toward Easter

The season of Lent is almost complete.  Easter is a few days away.  On Sunday, our hallelujahs will rise in joy and tell the world of the glory and triumph of our God.  Churches around the world will be filled with people, their voices raised in song proclaiming “Hallelujah!  Jesus is risen!”

But before we can celebrate our Lord’s triumph over death, we still have some work to do and lessons to learn.

Beginning with yesterday, Palm Sunday, we hear the celebratory story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, welcomed as a king.  The people recognize him as someone special, possibly even their Messiah.  They have seen and heard of the miracles He has done.    

We join them and become a part of the story as they wave palm branches and lay their coats across the road to keep the dust from kicking up onto this man of God.  We march around the church waving our palm branches and shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”

They know, as do we, that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9  “Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

But many expected a different kind of king.  They thought the Messiah would deliver them from the unjust and oppressive rule of Rome and restore Israel to greatness.

How often do we expect a different Savior than the way in which Jesus comes to us?

How often are we fair weather Christians?  As long as the going is going our way, we’re right there waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!”   But as soon as the going gets tough or things don’t go our way, do we turn around and abandon our God thinking He has broken His promises?  Do we become like the crowd in Jerusalem only days later shouting for Pilate to “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

In order to truly celebrate Easter we need to see ourselves for whom we really are.  And THAT requires a full investment in Holy Week.

I invite you to join me here this week and we’ll get ready for the most spectacular event in history…Easter.

www.elcaAndy.org
Maundy Thursday, 4/21, Dinner 6:30 pm - bring an item to share.  Free-will offering.  Worship 7:45 pm
Good Friday, 4/22, 7:30 pm Tenebrae Service (increasing darkness/shadows)
Easter Sunday, 4/24, 8:30 & 10:45 am Worship, 9:45 am Easter Breakfast (free-will offering)

Devotion - Recreating the Temple in Jerusalem

Holy Week will soon be upon us.  Palm Sunday is this coming Sunday, April 17.

We will hear a multiude of stories about Jesus' time in Jerusalem beginning with His entry into Jerusalem on a donkey.

I thought it might be a good time to contemplate what the temple in Jerusalem might have looked like.

Follow the link below and look at the amazing creation of Alec Garrard.  It is remarked to be the most realistic reproduction of the temple and its various levels.  After you read the news story and look at the pictures, contemplate the heartfelt dedication to God of a man whose wife says he is mad.

What are you passionate about?  Does it include God?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1155962/Pensioner-spends-30-years-building-amazing-model-Herods-Temple---admits-wont-finish-it.html

www.elcaAndy.org
Easter Egg Hunt, Sat., April 16, 10:00 am, Rain or shine.  FREE!  Don't be late.  Refreshments served.

7 Ways Your Dog Displays the Thumbprint of God

When God gave humans “dominion over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen. 1:27-28) he gave us the responsibility of their care as well.   In domesticating dogs, humans have taken that responsibility one step further; we have made them our companions and workmates.  While animals are not created in the image of God, as were human beings, every creation bears the thumbprints of its creator.   So here are some thumbprint images of God exhibited by your dog:

1.       Dogs miss us when we’re gone.  Almost every dog comes running when its people come home.
2.       Dogs will do just about anything to show us they love us.
3.       Dogs will still love us, no matter how many times we screw up.
4.       Dogs don’t care what anyone thinks about you.
5.       Dogs will protect you and sound the alarm when danger approaches.
6.       A dog’s favorite place to be is curled up near you, watching and listening to your every move, even when asleep.
7.       Dogs never give up hope.

God’s thumbprint on your dog should help you to see:

1.       God misses us when we’re gone too, and welcomes us back with open arms every time we return to Him.
2.       God will do anything to show us how much He loves us, including sending His only Son to pay the price for our salvation.
3.       God loves us no matter what, no matter how many times or how badly we screw up.  If we ask for forgiveness, it is given.
4.       God doesn’t care what anyone else thinks of you.  He passes His own judgment based on what He knows lies in your heart and mind.
5.       God will always be by your side, even if we can’t see or feel Him.  We are never alone for He has given us His Holy Spirit which lives within us.
6.       God is omniscient – He sees everything, in all places, at all times.  He is a 24/7/365/lifetime lifeguard.
7.       God wants to be in relationship with us.  It is why we were created.  God never abandons us, even though we might abandon Him. 

Now everyone read this next part tongue-in-cheek. J
You did know dogs are dyslexic, right?  Dogs think their name is spelled G-O-D, but of course this is the image of the Servant King that they see and fulfill (with the rights of one included…like sleeping on the couch or your bed, because it’s closer to you and he can better protect you…riiiight! Wink, wink).

I have never had a cat, but from what I know of the cats who belong to people I know, cats seem to have a God-complex too, but the Servant King isn’t how they see themselves. 

So hey, all you cat owners…how does your cat display the thumbprint of God?  Click on the "comments" below to tell us.

www.elcaAndy.org
Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 16, 10:00 am, Don't be late.  Rain or shine.  For children up to age 10.  Refreshments served.  FREE!