April 13, 2011

Reading for April 11-15
Preparation for Holy Week
Wednesday

Why will we deliver food, pull weeds, and repair homes on Palm Sunday?

The very same week that Jesus went to the cross, the mother of James and John asked Jesus to give her sons places of honor in the coming Kingdom.

When the ten others heard about this, they lost their tempers, thoroughly disgusted with the two brothers. So Jesus got them together to settle things down.

He said, "You've seen how quickly a little power goes to some people's heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served -- and then to give away his life for the sake of others." Matthew 20:21-28

Pastor's Reflection

My favorite description of worship comes from the Apostle Paul.

"I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1 (NIV)

My favorite Old Testament reference to worship is this one.

"I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies.
Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!"
Amos 5:21-24 (NIV)

This Sunday we will worship God at 9:00, offering ourselves to him a new through song, testimony, prayer and the Word. At 10:00 we will leave to serve (if you haven't signed up for a work site yet, you can do so on Sunday). That will be worship part 2. In many small ways we will become living sacrifices for others. We will, each of us in some small way, join God in letting Justice flow like a never ending river.