Holy Saturday, April 23

Silvia Pedrick
Deacon
A hope for Holy Saturday...
     Let me find a new path to God that he may lead me out of the darkness into the light and fill my heart with joy so that I may share it with those who are in misery.

Good Friday, April 22

Martha Tollers
Elder, Worship Music and Arts
Reflecting on the journey toward Jerusalem...
     As a young child, maybe age nine or ten, I remember my dad talking to me about the crucifiction. I wanted to talk about Easter. He said, "Punk"—his affectionate name for me—"we can't have Easter without the corss." And I cried.

Maundy Thursday, April 21

Dot Taylor
Deacon
The Broadway Musical Godspell begins "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." During Lent, we strive to prepare ourselves to accompany Jesus on his walk to his destiny. This journey is reenacted yearly on the Via Sacra in Rome to help Chrsitians physically and mentally prepare for Easter and the Resurrection.

Wednesday, April 20

Third Church Deacon
Reflecting on the call to Prepare the way of the Lord...
     I will prepare my heart by attempting to still my mind. In "stilling my mind" I will attempt to listen to my heart.

Tuesday, April 19

Third Church Deacon
Reflecting on Matthew 3:1-3 and Isaiah 40:3-5...
     To prepare my heart for Easter, I must open it to what those around me are saying. I must not prejudge or expect the worst from people I know too well.
     To prepare my road for the Lenten journey, I must accept the tasks and responsibilities that God puts along my path.

Monday, April 18

Peter DuBois
Director of Music/Organist

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever; And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.
Stanza 3 of Hymn 98, “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”,
Paul Gerhardt, from a text attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153)

This is the week when the familiar, and difficult, words of scripture surrounding Christ’s sacrifice become personal for each of us. As we move through Holy Week, and hear the readings on Thursday and Friday of the last supper; the garden at Gethsemane; the betrayal; the trial; and the suffering, it is difficult not to feel the weight of the cross and all that it symbolizes. At the same time, we cannot fully celebrate the joy and wonder of Easter without first making the treacherous and intimidating journey through Holy Week.

Creator God, help us to enter into the full experience of Holy Week, that we might consider in our own lives the importance of Christ’s sacrifice for us, and celebrate with renewed joy the glorious Resurrection on Easter Day. Amen.

Saturday, April 16

Lea Theuer
Deacon
Reflecting on Isaiah 4:3-5 and Matthew 3:1-3
     Laying down pavement... preparing our hearts... In this Lenten season, I ask myself, "What is it that I think I cannot do?" Then I will open my heart to allow God to help me do it.