Pastor’s Corner – April 10, 2025

Dear Beloved,

How are you as we journey towards Holy Week?  Are there specific ways we can be of support to you during this time?

For me, this time of the church year is so full of scriptures packed with a depth and breadth of emotions that leave me with a lack of adequate words - excitement, energy, praise, chaos, confusion, pain, misunderstanding, injustice, heartache, unmatchable love, sacrifice, despair, loyalty, hope, betrayal, service, trust, attentiveness, denial, wonder, mystery, uncertainty, overwhelming joy, unanswered questions…..

As I read some of the stories and passages often read during Holy Week for some clarity of what to offer to you, I was captivated by the number of times and kinds of prayers we hear Jesus offer.  I am grateful for Jesus' prayers that offer us examples.  I am grateful that Jesus prayers with us and for us.  He prayed passionate prayers of intercession.  He prayed prayers of thanksgiving.  He prayed prayers for God’s will.  He prayed prayers of supplication.  He expressed feelings of distress and forsakenness.  He prayed prayers of forgiveness and mercy.  He prayed his final spoken words before breathing his last on the cross.  May we sit with Jesus.  May we receive his prayers.  May we pray with him.  May we know that he loves us and that his love is for absolutely everyone.  It is unbounded and unstoppable.  It is for everyone.  It is everlasting.  Let us live out this good news.  Blessings of hope and shalom for all this Holy Week.  

Love,

Sarah 

Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last.”  Luke 23:46