Called to Worship

 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

Good morning, Friends!

On November 18, 2001 the Wenger household crawled out of beds at 4:30 in the morning, putting on sweatpants and winter coats, went out into the cold, clear night where we stretched out together on our giant, heavy, Time Out Auction comforter aka "Nessie" which was spread out on the driveway.  Side by side, packed tight and cozy like a book of matches and covered with blankets, we reclined to stare up at the night sky. Our eyes beheld the glory of the heavens!  The show had already begun as the Leonid Meteor Shower sent streaks of bright shiny lights across the sky-- one right after another, sometimes several at once. Teeny, tiny fragments, some as small as grains of sand, (so the science tells us) became incredible blazes of glory as they ignited and flashed.   For 45 minutes we oohed; we ahhhed; we giggled; and yes, we worshiped together as these beacons blazed.
 

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;

yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their  words to the end of the world.

Ahh, that we would look at one another and exclaim the wonder of our Creator instead of arguing, judging, hurting, belittling, and killing....

Palm Branches will wave this week as our children will begin with the processional.  As I think about the "Triumphal Entry" when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on the donkey, the people spontaneously honored him. No one ordered the palm branches ahead of time; no one instructed the children where to walk and what to shout. The community had expectations of who this Jesus was and what he was about.  Did Jesus meet those expectations?  Were the same people who shouted "Hosanna" on Palm Sunday the same ones who shouted, "Crucify him!" a few days later?  Brother Nelson will will share exegesis on this Matthew 21 passage in a message entitled "Who Is This?" as well as consider Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 31:9-16; and Philippians 2:5-11.

Yesterday our dear sister Minnie passed to her next life while surrounded by family.  My, how that sweet saint blessed my life! I will miss her, and my life is fuller for having known her. (I can close my eyes and see her riding on the back of Jeff's scooter at the church yard sale just a few short years ago.  She was beaming!)

At 9am the Upstairs Room will be ready for you! Hmmm... anyone hungry for a
particular bfk snack?  Let me know and maybe I'll hire the Wenger culinarian to prepare something.  :)

Next Thursday, April 21 at 6:15 pm will be our Maundy Thursday "Love Feast and Foot Washing" here at church.  On Friday, April 22 at 7pm is a Good Friday service.  All are welcome to attend.

My prayer for you today:  Creator God, the sky is yours, for you have made it; the earth is yours, for you have made it; we are yours, for you have made us.  Help us each to recognize your presence.  Help us to realize we are yours.  Help us to accept your love and grace offered to us, for your love endures forever.  Help our lives to overflow in worship and gratitude as we recognize you in the extraordinary and the ordinary moments of our days and in each other. Come kingdom of God. Be done will of God; here on earth as it is in heaven.  In the name of Jesus. Amen.  

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too.  Contact me anytime!
Love and Light!  Carol

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, what you believe, and where you are going, because it does make a difference.  Oh, and don't forget to attend the church of your choosing this week."   jd