JESUS IS RISEN!! -- A "Holy Week" for You

"CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN, INDEED, ALLELUIA!!"

I love that phrase! It marks the climax of Scripture and all of human history! It marks the reason we have hope amidst despair; joy amidst sorrow; life amidst death. It reminds us that God and His love are bigger than our difficulties and failures!

It is truly the most wonderful time of the year (popular Christmas song sentiments, notwithstanding)!

But before we get to Easter, we continue through Lent and Holy Week. Many of you know that Lent is one of my favorite times of the year. It focuses us [me!] on the passion and love that Jesus, our lord and savior, has for us and for the whole world. It reminds us of our sins which drive us to Him, who forgives our sins by "The Power of the Cross" (our Sunday theme during Lent this year).

Lent ends on Easter Sunday, but the week prior to Easter, "Holy Week," is a very special time of the church year, too. It begins with the Sunday before Easter, called "Sunday of the Passion" or "Palm Sunday." It marks Jesus' entry into Jerusalem for the last time, when he was heralded and welcomed with a reception by people with "palm branches" and the cloths. the week takes a tragic turn when later, after Jesus had His last supper with His disciples while celebration the Passover meal, He is later betrayed to death by one of His disciples and is innocently killed by crucifixion, thus dying for the sins of the world.

But death could not hold Jesus, "the Way, the Truth, and the Life!" He rose on Easter morning, as He said He would, thus destroying sin, death, and the power of the devil and granting to all believers everlasting life!

It is no wonder, then, why Easter is the highest and most holy day on the entire church calendar! It is also the most joyous!

Yet, the highs will not be so high unless the lowest of the lows is also understood and experienced. That is why worship during Lent in general and Holy Week in particular, is so very important. We can understand the depths that Jesus went to for us, which make the heights to which He rose and ascended all the more brilliant and wonderful!

Please make sure to join us for all Holy Week services. you will be blessed! The schedule is below.

• Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday: Sunday, March 28, 8:30/11:00 AM
• Holy (Maundy) Thursday: Thursday, April 1, at 7:00 PM
• Good Friday: Friday, April 2, at 12noon and 7:00 PM
• Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 4, 6:30 AM (Sunrise); 8:30/11:00 AM 

In Christ's great passion for you and with you,
Pastor Scott

Ash Wednesday and Lent

Next Wednesday, February 17, marks Ash Wednesday. As such, we will be privileged to worship the Lord with Word, Holy Communion, and the Imposition of Ashes.

St. Mark will offer the following worship opportunities:

• 8:15 AM for middle school students (Imposition of Ashes, but no Holy Communion); 
• 9:00 AM for elementary school students (neither Imposition of Ashes nor Holy Communion); 
• 12:00 noon for all (both Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion) and
• 7:00 PM for all (both Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion)

And don't forget, we will be worshiping on every Wednesday in Lent at 7:00 PM, focusing on "reconciliation" and on Sundays with the theme, "The Power of the Cross."

We would be honored - and you will be blessed - if you would worship with us on this Lenten journey!

With you on the journey,
Pastor Scott

Lent, 2010: "The Power of the Cross"

Mark Your Calendars It may seem too early to be thinking about Lent, but it isn't. St. Mark will be celebrating Ash Wednesday on February 17 with services at both 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Both services (as well as for chapel earlier that morning) will include the "Imposition of Ashes" for those who would like to receive it. The rest of the Lenten mid-week services will take place on the following Wednesdays leading up to Holy Week at 7:00 p.m.  (If you would like to also see a noon service offered, please contact your elder. To find out who your elder is, please contact Susan DePue.) For the Sundays in Lent, St. Mark will be sharing "The Power of the Cross." This powerful series will point us to Jesus, His immense love for us, and the power that is ours through His suffering, death, and resurrection. Join us!