We are now in the middle of an incredibly special and important part of our church year – the Season of Lent which runs from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week leading us to the annual Easter celebration. In many ways, this season of the year has become increasingly commercialized and secularized – much like the annual Advent and Christmas season. Even among those who are believers in Jesus as Savior and Lord, there are trends away from the sacred message of the Season of Lent and Easter and more emphasis on commercialized and secularized observances of this season.
This season of the year is one in which we recall and prayerfully consider the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the “Old Rugged Cross” at Golgotha – and then the celebration of the Good News that the tomb was empty – and that Jesus Christ arose from the dead! Let us never forget the message of the Cross and the Resurrection as the foundation of our Christian faith. Without the Cross, there is no Resurrection. Without the Resurrection, the Cross is nothing more than the story of the death of one among many enemies of the Roman state and a would-be Messiah of the Jews.
Let’s be reminded of how we’ll wind up the season of Lent. Please note that we will have our annual Seder Meal one week earlier than normal due to the busyness of Holy Week. It will be held Thursday evening, April 10th at 6:00 at Homestead Church.
This year, Holy Week begins on April 13th with Palm Sunday. We will be waving our palm branches in the morning services. It marks the beginning of Holy Week and all that unfolds in the story of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ. For all the kiddies, there will be an Egg Hunt for Dorton, Homestead, and First Church (at Dorton) on Palm Sunday afternoon beginning at 3:00 pm.
We’ll begin worship on Easter Sunday with our annual Easter Sunrise Service and Breakfast. This year, it will take place at Dorton Church. Let’s all support this early morning celebration by attending and participating. He is Risen! Easter service at Dorton will take place at 9:00 am. Another Egg Hunt will take place after this service for all the kiddies. The Homestead Easter service will take place at 11:00 am. Our Homestead kiddies are invited to participate in an Egg Hunt immediately after the service.
In addition, we’ll have several “special” Sundays throughout the month celebrating our churches and our people. Such events as “Friends and Family Day”, Easter “Hat Day”, and others should be lots of fun and a wonderful encouragement.
That’s a busy week and a busy month!
I like to spend the days of Holy Week preparing for the worship services that come on Easter Sunday. When I say prepare, it’s so much more than just finalizing plans for the services, it’s preparing ME for what is to come. How will the suffering, death, and resurrection stir my soul this year? Will I hear something different? Will it affect me in new ways? How will this move from a story to a journey within me? May God bless our Holy Week – Sunday to Sunday. God be with us in our prayers, God be with us in our work, God be with us in our rest, God be with us as we prepare to be transformed.
Let’s make the month of April 2025 a period in which we place emphasis upon the Cross and the Resurrection. On the Cross, Jesus paid the price of our sins. In the Resurrection, Jesus has conquered death. What a powerful and wonderful message we must share with our community and world. As I say every Sunday before you walk out the door, “SHARE JESUS”! Yes, let’s be about the business of our faith – sharing Jesus Christ with others – and ministering to the “lost and least” in the name of the Resurrected Jesus. Amen.