4/10: Good Friday Devotional & Announcements

4/10/2020

Friends of WPUMC:
This is Holy Week – the days between Palm/Passion Sunday and Easter. Each day, we will send a scripture, image, devotional reading, prayer and Taize song to help you observe Jesus’ journey this week. Grace and peace to you as we walk this valley together.

Scripture: Luke 22: 14-23
When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this.

Pastor's Message

Recently, a church member forwarded me a devotional email with this quote from Max Lucado:

This isn’t the April we wanted.

We wanted spring training. We wanted to go to church on Easter Sunday. We wanted a weekend trip to see the spring flowers. We wanted the Masters golf tournament. I love the Masters. I don’t just like it, I love it! I keep pictures of Amen Corner on my computer screen. I love April.

But this April? This isn’t the April we wanted.

But this is the April we’ve been handed: daily reports of disease and death. An economy that’s in freefall. Dwindling supplies. Another 30 days of distance and isolation. And, most of all, a month of fear. We fear for our family. We fear for the health of our health workers. We fear this microscopic, COVID-19 culprit that stalks our streets like a thief.

Today is Good Friday. Is there anything “good” about this Friday? Aside from an etymological research of the day’s name, it’s hard to understand why we continue to call it “good”. It’s decidedly NOT-good – it shares the story of the worst of humanity, torturing and putting to death an innocent person in place of punishing people who were actually guilty of crime and sin. It’s embarrassingly violent, shamefully cruel, mortifyingly real.

This isn’t the day we wanted – but it’s the one we live today. The darkness, the underbelly, the mess, the pain. It’s an uncomfortably authentic experience of what we are capable of if we give into the worst of ourselves.

It’s tempting to look away – to just ignore and pretend that it’s not there. We’d rather dwell on flowers and spring sports and sun and good things. But that’s never been life. Life is ups and downs. Highs and lows. Mountains and valleys.

So, today, we journey the dark valley. It’s not what we want. But it’s the day we have. The only way is through.

See you on the other side.
Peace, Rev. Sandi

Listen to a musical prayer, Stay With Me. Click on the Play button below.

Prayer
Almighty God, your son Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross so that he might draw the whole world to himself. Grant that we, who glory in death for our salvation, may also glory in his call to take up your cross and follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Announcements

Easter Living Cross - Make flowers at home
You can help us with our Easter preparations! Our Living Cross has been an important symbol in our neighborhood at Eastertime. This year, since we will not be able to gather in person on Easter Sunday, we ask that you help prepare by making flowers at home! Below are a few links to tutorials on how to make paper flowers.

On the Saturday before Easter (April 11th), we will have the cross outside on the lawn (if the weather is bad, the cross will be in the courtyard). Throughout the day, please come over to church and place your flower/s on the cross. Please make a point not to congregate with others and keep appropriate social distance while helping us prepare for our Easter celebration!

Paper Flower DIY videos on YouTube:

Comments are closed.