On Thursday, a school administrator told the students that after they turned in a survey, they were free to begin their “long weekend”. 

On Thursday, Clergy and church servants were getting ready for a special service, the second of Holy Week as well as thinking towards Good Friday and the Easter service.

Church servants have been arranging flowers, creating extra bulletins, and in many cases, putting up with their frenetic pastors who kept saying “I’m working on it”, while the emails were filled with special sales from the various retailers expecting a long weekend of business.

Clergy have been planning multiple services and events trying to present the greatest story ever told in new and captivating ways. 

And for some, it was just a long weekend off, but we must remember Jesus died for them as well. His sacrifice is for all to know that God is alive and active in our lives for Jesus is risen and that makes all the difference.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.  Mark 11:15-18

This passage always sounds shocking, as “Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild” loses his temper and goes on a rampage in the temple.  It is righteous anger, as the temple system was unjust and cheating many people.  The high costs of the animals for sacrifice and the currency exchange was oppressive, especially upon those who could least afford it.

Sometimes righteous anger is justified for us as well.  While I do not advocate turning tables and whipping people, we do need to get united when injustice is present.  Martin Luther King, Jr. said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” and God calls us to fight injustice.  The prophet Jeremiah says Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place (Jeremiah 22:3).

As we walk through this Holy Week, let us all pick up our crosses and walk with justice.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Luke 9:51

Where is your mind right now?  Are you prepared to enter into Holy Week or are you still concerned with so many earthly things?

Yes a lot is going on right now, there is (still) political turmoil, (still) wars and rumors of wars, (still) economic upheaval, (still) people that care more about their own gain no matter who it hurts, (still) … need I go on?

We all have things going on in our lives that truly need our attention, we have personal issues that need attention as well as family, job, school, church and societal issues.  A lot is happening right now, but how much can be put aside for a moment?  Can we take that moment to face Jerusalem with Jesus as He approaches the final week of His earthly ministry? 

Throughout Lent we have traveled with Jesus and now we face the place where His journey leads, the cross.  Are you ready?

As you travel through this week, as you deal with the earthly things placed in front of you, turn your head towards Jerusalem, towards Golgotha, towards the cross.  Gain strength from the one who walked the via Dolorosa for you, the one who suffered for you.  Know that God is with you in this week and no matter what comes, walk with Jesus.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: “Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.

Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.  Jeremiah 18:1-6

Just as the potter molds the clay, God is molding us.  We are incomplete, still forming and being formed.  Each step of our spiritual journey is a step closer to the whole person God calls us to be.

During this Lenten journey, do not consider the “failures” or lack of spiritual discipline, rather continue forward knowing that everything you do in God’s name is part of your formation.

May you allow this Lenten journey to be the Potter’s Hands,

Peace,

Pastor Bill

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  ²a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, ³a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, ⁴a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, ⁵a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, ⁶a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, ⁷a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸ a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A Philadelphia Icon has closed.  The Macy’s department store in Philadelphia shut its doors on Sunday, but the bigger part was Saturday.  Macy’s was located in the John Wanamaker building, home of a legendary organ (and, of course, the Eagle statue).  On Saturday, a day long concert was held, with the various organists performing. 

The place was packed as people came to see the organ for what will hopefully not be the last time (the new owners of the building are still working on plans), yet it seemed important to be there.

With all the things we had to do on Saturday, we decided to go to the concert.  Sometimes you have to lay aside what you have on the “to-do” list and experience something.  For us, it was a time to enjoy something we may never enjoy again, and that was far more important than the tasks.

As you travel through this Lenten season, make sure you truly contemplate some of the times you are presented.  Often the last time to do something may be in front of you, grab it and enjoy.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Is this not the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house… Isaiah 58:6-7

We are well into the season of Lent and many of us have given up something we like.  Self-denial can be a good spiritual practice, as long as we do not abuse it. 

Another great spiritual practice, not only for Lent but all year long, is to notice the needs of others.  Many do not have enough to eat, many are being denied basics of life, many are just in need.  It is not our “job” to question them as to their needs, rather to help when others need help.  We are not to judge people, nor should we assume someone’s need is due to some unrepentant sin in their lives, rather we are called to love and to give.

As you travel through this week and this Lenten journey, take notice of those around you.  Is there a need you can fill?  If so, do so with love.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Hear, O Israel, the beginning of the statement of faith for Judaism, known as the Shema (for the Hebrew word “hear”).  It is the beginning of Christian faith as well, God alone is God, and we are to love God with all our heart, soul and might.  Jesus will later reinforce this with a passage from Leviticus to love your neighbor as yourself stating this dual commandment of love is the most important in the law.

As we begin this season of Lent this week, keep this in mind.  God alone is God; we are to have no other gods before us.  God calls us to love each other and our neighbor. Let us take this special season in the church and make this the center of our Lenten journey.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” John 10:14-16

Have you ever wandered about this saying of Jesus, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold”?  It can be interpreted in many ways, yet in the end, this saying reminds us that Jesus’ love and compassion goes far beyond what we expect. 

As we go before God in prayer this week, let us remember to pray for the other sheep, those who might not be considered “God’s children” for whatever reason we assign, those who might feel left out of things, those who may have been forgotten, and those who just do not know God’s love, for Jesus is reaching to them as well.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, ²for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. ³This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

There are problems in our world.  There are many places across the globe that are in conflict.  We know the biggies such as Ukraine and Gaza, but there is still ongoing violence in Sudan, Myanmar and more.

There are also conflicts in our own country, political upheaval, civil unrest and ongoing racism. 

Sometimes we feel unable to do anything yet we have one very strong weapon – prayer.  We can pray for the world leaders to do just and right things.  Even if we do not like the leader, pray for them – for peace to pervade their hearts and minds, for each world leader to do good for the planet.

As you journey through this week and hear the news, stop for a moment and pray for all in high positions.

Peace,

Pastor Bill