It's Good Friday.  Most of the day will seem like any other day.  Most of us went to work.  Some are out ont he golf course. There is activity all around.  But, I hope everyone will remember during the busyness of the day, the significance of this day. 

Early in the morning as the sun rose, Jesus was taken to Pilate.  He had already suffered much, but Pilate who knew Jesus was innocent still had him flogged to appease the religious leaders, but it was not enough.  The leaders still demanded that Jesus be crucified.  The Scriptures seems to indicate that Jesus was handed over to the leaders to be crucified, but it was a soldier who placed a crown of thorns on his head.  The Romans beat Jesus, and all this took place before nine o'clock that morning. 

Mark tells us that it was the third hour (9 AM) when Jesus was crucified.  He was marched to Golgotha and the spikes were nailed.  At noon, darkness covered the land until the ninth hour (3 PM) when Jesus gave up his spirit and breathed his last.

Remember what he said:
"Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."
"Truly, I tell you today, you will be with me in paradise."
"Women, behold your son.  Son, behold your mother."
"My God, My God why have you forsaken me?"
"I thirst."
"It is finished."
"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."

It was all done for us.  Kind of puts a new perspective on the priorities of the day. 

See you tonight in church -- 7:30 PM

Yours in Christ,
Steve

Thank you Sandra, Fran, Barbara, Winnie and Others

Sandra Smith has served as our church secretary for three years.  She learned the job when Barbara was in the process of moving to Mississippi, and she was ready to train the next secretary.  When Ashley decided to go back to school, Sandra moved into the job, but it was more than a job.  To her it was a ministry and she has been a tremendous help to church.  She has organized the office and worked hard to get bulletins and newsletters out on time and kept our financial books up to date and in good order.  However greatest gift was the way she warmly greeted everyone who came into the office. 

She and Nolan are in our prayers as Nolan continues with his radiation in Houston.  We look forward to their return home.  Though she remains a faithful church member, we will miss her in the office.

With Sandra gone, we have had the wonderful blessing of  Fran Monroe working as our volunteer secretary.  Fran, Barbara Bahs, and Winnie Smith along with other volunteers have kept things running smoothly.  I am most grateful for all who have pitched in to help. 

Of course we are currently looking to hire a new secretary and if you know someone who will fill the position with the attitude of this being a ministry, please tell them to sent me their resume.

With a grateful heart for all the office help,

Steve

When a Church Is a Church

When I was in high school, the pastor of my church asked me to help him with a special Good Friday service.  He called it a Service of Tenebrae, and it sounded a little strange.  But, always wanting to help, I was recruited to "man" the lights, and was given instructions how to dim the lights as the service progressed.  There was a black drape on the cross, the Communion Table cloth was black, there were seven black candles on Communion Table and one white candle.  And I thought, "What has gotten into our pastor."  What he described seemed at best weird and at worst satanic.  BOY WAS I WRONG!

 The Tenebrae service presented the suffering of Jesus on the cross in such a way that I came close to experiencing the emotions of a disciple watching the crucifixion.  The drama added depth to the simple reading of Scripture, which in itself can be powerful. 

Of course, I have an advantage over the first disciples, for I live on this side of the Resurrection.  So, when I experience a Tenebrae Service, I am overwhelmed with emotions associated with the depths of Christ's love in enduring the Cross, and below that sadness runs a joy, for I know what is going to happen on Sunday morning. 

The truth of the matter is that we cannot celebrate Easter until we come face to face with the cross.  As a matter of fact, I would go so far as to say the Tenebrae Service may by a powerful tool for evangelism.  So bring a friend to our Tenebrae Service, help them to understand the depths of God's love, and maybe they will be touched with an Easter faith on Sunday. 

See you Friday night at 7:30 PM.

Steve