Beloved,

Lent continues and labors abound for those who are willing.

Deprivations empty us out and open us up to all that is good, beautiful, and true – things we’ve missed because our attention was elsewhere.
Prayer tunes our ears and our hearts to the Word behind our words, the Life that grounds our life, the Pray-er guiding our prayers.
Giving of our time, our talents, our treasures allows us to share with others in need like us…and allows us to receive the generosity of the Most Generous One.

Lent continues. 
But it doesn’t last forever.

At the end of Lent, there is a climax. 

Appearing at the end of the world we find a Triumphal Entry, a catastrophic Cross, and Gloriously (empty) Grave!

It is into this final week that we now plunge (like into a baptism).  The week that shapes all history, both personal and cosmic will soon be upon us.  A week so unique, so tragic, so shocking, so triumphant that it is now called by everyone who speaks of it, “holy.”

Holy Week.

I want to invite you to participate in the events of this week because it is one of the primary ways that you can participate in the life of God.  So come and be with the church of Jesus Christ, and with your brothers and sisters in the Lord.

• Lay down your cloak before the peaceful king who enters the holy city on a donkey.
• Shout hosanna with the rest of the church who gathers in praise.
• Read the stories of the gospels, half of which are devoted to this final week of Jesus’ earthly life.
• Pray with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.
• Stand with him before the earthly judge; hear the soldiers mocking cries; see the horror of evil as it appears on Christ’s body, drawn there by instruments of torture and death.
• Huddle with Mary and the women and the disciples as they gaze upon the cross.
• Hear Jesus say “it is finished.”
• Grieve as the body of our Lord is put in the ground.

And wait.

And after a while, as the sun is coming up, go stand at the tombs of a Memorial Garden beside of the Newland Presbyterian Church and discover that Jesus is no longer dead, but alive!

From that place, and to all the world, shout, “He is Risen,” and “He is Risen, indeed.”

Fall down before his nail-scarred feet and worship the Risen King whose every step brings life.

Discover, in Him, One worth dying for. 
And One who calls you to really live.

Holy Week is upon is.  It always is. 

Now is the time to join the sacred throng.

I’ll see you soon!

With faith, and hope, and love,

Michael