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From the Pastor

From the Pastor
This Sunday is Palm Sunday. It is the day that Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, and we will wave our palm branches and sing our hosannas. Ever wonder, what happened? Our Lord Jesus went from hero to zero in five days. On Palm Sunday, we see Jesus at the pinnacle of his popularity. Sadly, it’s all downhill from there. Why? What went wrong? 
Jesus would do and say many things that week that would cause people to forsake him. Up until then he had been playing coy. He had teased them with miracles. The people would ask, “Are you the Messiah?” And Jesus would say, “Nice day isn’t it?” and then change the subject. But that day it was like Jesus had taken out a full page ad: “I am your Messiah!” In fact, when the Pharisees in the crowd shouted for Jesus to tell his disciples to pipe down, Jesus called back,“I tell you if these were to fall silent the very stones would cry out.” In other words, “You want to hear a rock concert? I’ll give you a rock concert” – literally. Everything about Jesus said, “You want to know who’s in charge around here? You’re looking at him. Behold your King.” The people thought they knew what that meant. Tucked away in the back of every Jewish mind was a mental snapshot of the Messiah, a king who would be even mightier than King David. It brought to mind a composite portrait of Old Testament greatness: a father like Abraham, a deliverer like Moses, a king like David, the wisdom of Solomon, the biceps of Samson, all rolled into one titanic person. The Messiah! He would turn history right side up once and for all. Handel put him to music! He is our Lord and King, and so we sing, “Blessed be the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 
Speaking of music, please join us for worship this Palm Sunday at either 8:00 am or 10:30 am for our Choir’s Easter Cantata, “The Rose of Calvary.” We hope and pray that you will have a better understanding of our Lord’s journey to the cross through this beautiful music. And then be sure to join us for any of our Holy Week services at 7:00 pm on Thursday and Friday as we continue the story to an empty tomb on Easter, April 21.  
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Pastor John
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Quote of the Week
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
O Christ, thy triumphs now begin
O’er captive death and conquered sin” 
Hymn by Henry Hart Milman
Henry Hart Milman was an English historian and ecclesiastic.