Slideshow image

Today of course is Good Friday. I am encouraging you to spend some extra time in prayer and reflection today. Consider reading Matt. 27:32-66, Mark 15:21-47, Luke 23:26-56, and John 19:16-42. Those are the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. Whatever you, don’t make this simply another Friday. Make it a day of remembrance and reflection.

           Last night we observed Love Feast in preparation for today. The last song we sang as we concluded our evening was “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross.” That was intentional to encourage you and I to focus on the sacrificial death of Jesus that is remembered on Good Friday. Today is the day of sacrifice and atonement. It is the day where our Lord Jesus Christ became the once and for all sacrificial lamb. One of my favorite Scriptures sums up well Good Friday. It is found in 2 Corinthians 5:21 which says, “God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might have the righteousness of God.” Jesus takes our sin upon us and gives us His righteousness in exchange. Amazing love, how can it be—that you, my king would die for me.

Much planning has gone into our Easter services. We will begin at Alan and Pam Platt’s house at 6:00 am for sunrise service. Kay Swarr does an excellent job of planning this and it includes breakfast. What a joy it is to watch the sunrise together and celebrate the most glorious Sunday—Resurrection Sunday. I know it is early, but I would encourage you to come and be blessed. The address is 15 Rush Drive, New Providence. We will have Sunday services at the church at 8:15 am and 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:30 am. Expect great worship and celebration as well as many Easter flowers as we gather in celebration of the greatest news of all—HE HAS RISEN!

Next week I will be with Janae and many of her team, in Orlando for the D6 Conference. We leave on Monday around noon and won’t return until late Thursday evening. So, there will be no Friday column next week and it will return the beginning of May. If there is a pastoral need while I am gone, please contact Pastor Mary Etta or Pastor Rita or your deacon.

Ruth and I are in Harrisburg today to spend time with Molly who is off. Tonight, at Molly’s church they have a Good Friday service and Molly is singing a solo. We will be there in support and we are looking to celebrate Easter with our daughters then on Saturday before returning home. 

Holy Week is always a busy week for pastors and this one was no exception. I completed a number of home communions for our homebound members this week. The Committees and Church Board meeting ran long on Monday evening and then there was a Roots night and last night’s service. I was able to live in the Gospels this week in devotions as I was focusing on Jesus’ final days. I also got a song stuck in my head that came out over 20 years ago from Hillsong entitled “Worthy is the Lamb.”  The words are powerful. I have been singing all week. You may want to check it out on YouTube. Here are the lyrics to this beloved song:

 

Thank you for the cross, Lord

Thank you for the price You paid

Bearing all my sin and shame

In love You came

And gave amazing grace

Thank you for this love, Lord

Thank you for the nail pierced hands

Washed me in Your cleansing flow

Now all I know

Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb

Seated on the throne

Crown You now with many crowns

You reign victorious

High and lifted up

Jesus Son of God

The Darling of Heaven crucified

Worthy is the Lamb

Worthy is the Lamb

That line “The Darling of Heaven crucified” gets me every time. Indeed, worthy is the Lamb that was slain for you and I. Revelation 5:12 declares, “In a loud voice they sang, ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’” 

Well, it is Friday but Sunday’s coming! The title for this column is based on today and Resurrection Sunday. The darkness of Good Friday will soon be replaced with the joy of Resurrection morning. I am looking forward to an amazing Lord’s day celebration with you. The Lamb that was slain is worthy to be praised. On Sunday, we will celebrate and I will share about Resurrection Hope from Luke 24:13-35. Above all, we will worship because it is no longer Friday…it is Easter, Resurrection Sunday and HE IS RISEN!

The good news on this Good Friday is this---it is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!         

 

Pastor Kevin