Dear Peace members and friends,
Easter is not far off now. And yet, between now and then is Palm/Passion Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday—all connected and which, together, tell the story of our salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord.
And this Sunday’s 5th Sunday in Lent worship (9:30am) is a preview of the next two weeks. The Gospel reading for the day (John 12:20-33) describes it. When some Greeks who come looking for Jesus at Passover, Jesus knew it was time. The future had arrived. Jesus could have resisted them. He could have said his time wasn’t up yet, but he didn’t. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit,” he said. And soon Jesus did exactly that.
And we, too, have the power to live small or live large; to hang on to the grain we have or to gamble it all for the kingdom—trusting in the one who went before us to do something with us.
We’ll hear more about this life-giving Gospel on Sunday. Pastor Joe will preach. I’ll offer a children’s message. The Peace Choir will sing. We’ll share in the Lord’s Supper. And we’ll wish one another, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
This Sunday is also the Pancake Breakfast! Senior high and Confirmation students will host this breakfast, a fundraiser for this summer’s Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Join us on Sunday to support the youth and their participation. Breakfast will be served from 8:30-9:15am and 10:30-11:30am.
I know that some of you are traveling over these next two weeks. Godspeed to you all and Happy Easter wherever you are!
See you Sunday!
Mark