Establishing Community
A couple of weeks ago in this space I wrote how the absence of physical connection over the past year has actually accentuated the realization of the need of this type of community for many. As we near the end of this year's Lenten season and approach Holy Week, we are again reminded of the importance of community in the notes that Jesus sounded during his last few hours on earth. We hear these notes through our Savior sharing the passover meal, kneeling and washing the disciples' feet, giving the mandate to love as he has loved, praying in his high priestly prayer that his disciples would be one and that their unity would be palpably evident to the world, caring for his mother and beloved disciple from the cross even as the weight of the world's redemption pressed down on him (cf. John 13-17, 19:24-27), etc..; in all this Jesus speaks to a way of discipleship that engages one another.
As we come to Holy Week 2021, the hope is that in the midst of our personal meditations we will all find time and ways to follow Jesus' community-oriented discipleship path. As we have necessarily been restricted this past year, it is our hope that most, if not all, of our community will embrace the invitation to share the ministry of presence in one of our five Maundy Thursday services. With both inside and outside offerings and the many services (by extension smaller), our prayer is that obstacles for participation would be removed and that we could reverently come together to worship and be fed. Of course, we do understand the various positions that people find themselves in and will always remain supportive. Please let a pastor, elder, staff member or the office know if there is ANYTHING that we can do to connect with you throughout this Holy Week.
Just a couple of other notes. Look via email for additional devotional material centering on The Way of the Cross to take you through the Holy Weekend. A complete list of Holy Week offerings is in the announcements below.
Finally, let me end with the mandate that Jesus gave his disciples in John 13:34-35: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”