Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter that begins the Holy Week. It is the day that we remember and celebrate the day Jesus entered Jerusalem as Savior and King. As Jesus rode a donkey into the town of Jerusalem a large crowd gathered and laid palm branches and their cloaks across the road, giving Jesus royal treatment. The hundreds of people shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
Prayer:
"Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord..." We give you praise and honor for your ways are righteous and true. We give you worship for you are holy and just. We will declare that your love stands firm forever. For your lovingkindness endures forever.

Thank you that your ways are far greater than our ways, your thoughts far deeper than our thoughts. Thank you that you had a plan to redeem. Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you that your face is towards the righteous,  you hear our prayers and know our hearts. Help us to stay strong and true to you. Help us not to follow after the voice of the crowds but to press in close to you, to hear your whispers and seek after you alone.

We praise you, we bless you, Lord! Thank you that you reign supreme and we are more than conquerors through the gift of Christ! In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen. (Adapted from an article from Crosswalk)

Holy Monday is the second day of Holy Week right after Palm Sunday. It is the second day that Jesus was in Jerusalem and the Bible records Christ teaching and debating the religious leaders this day.  The religious leaders had THE MESSIAH right in front of them and they didn't see Him.  Are we like the Pharisees?  Is God speaking to us, working miracles and we just aren't opening our eyes to see Him? Take time today to pray that God opens your eyes to Him, His will, His hand working in your life.

Prayer:
Holy Father, Please let us be like Moses when he asked You to let him see Your glory.  Jesus, You are the Son of God, The King of Kings. Help us to put you on the throne of our hearts.  You left Heaven to come and rescue us from our own sins. We are so grateful. We know you are with us, working in our lives, working in our world. Give us eyes that search for your goodness and glory.  In Jesus' Name, Amen

On Tuesday, Jesus continued to teach.  He was preparing His disciples for His death, resurrection, and His glorious return.  He reminded them to be faithful servants and to be prepared, taking good care of the Master's possessions. He told them that no one would know the day or the hour He would return. That message is for us, too.  Ask yourself if you are being a faithful servant to our Master.  Are you using all the gifts and possessions He gave you to bring Him glory?  Are you sharing the truth of His word with those you've been entrusted to love and take care of? Are you ready for Jesus to come back? There is no time like the present to get your affairs in order and to put your Master's gifts to good use!  

Prayer
Lord, Please help us to be faithful servants. Give us a sense of urgency to make our hearts and lives ready for Your return.  Give us courage to share your plan of Salvation with those we love and with everyone we meet.
The idea that you were willingly marching toward the cross is so hard to imagine. You had all the power of Heaven and Earth. You could have become the earthly leader everyone expected but you knew better. Your foolishness is wiser than our wisdom. Your weakness is greater than our strength. Help us to love others the way You showed such love for us. You counted Your sacrifice JOY because You love us so much.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

On Wednesday of Holy Week, Jesus may have rested. Known as Spy Wednesday, Matthew gives us a flashback to Jesus being anointed at Bethany and Judas starting his plot to betray Him. Judas loved Jesus but loved the things of this world more.  His choice of this world over Jesus is something we all should understand. We do it nearly everyday - even on our best day.  That's why we need Jesus' blood to cover us.  The woman who anointed Jesus knew that nothing in this world is as precious as the Messiah. Praise God today that He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die in our place. If you don't know Jesus or haven't given your life to Him, there is no time to waste!

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for loving us even when You knew we would betray You. We praise You because You are the God who saves.  We repent of all the ways we choose this world over You.  We know that You are better than anything we can imagine. Help us to bow at Your feet and walk in Your ways.
In Your Name we pray, Amen.

Christ's "mandate" is commemorated on Maundy Thursday--- "maundy" being a shortened form of mandatum (Latin), which means "command."  It was on the Thursday of Christ's final week before being crucified and resurrected that He said this commandment to His disciples. Jesus and his disciples had just shared what is known as the Last Supper and he washed their feet saying:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34).

Jesus showed love by serving His friends.  How will you show Jesus' love to others this week?  Is there a way you can serve those around you and point their eyes to Jesus?

Prayer:
Father,
You said the world will know we are Your disciples if we love one another. Strengthen our hands and our wills for love and for service. Help us to show Your love to those around us.  Let us not take credit but to turn their eyes toward You and Your Son. Keep before our eyes the image of your Son who, being God, became a Servant for our sake. All glory be to Him who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

The cross is where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness. Psalms 85:10 sings of a day when “righteousness and peace” will “kiss each other.” The cross and crucifixion of Jesus is where that occurred, where God’s demands, his righteousness, coincided with his mercy. We receive divine forgiveness, mercy, and peace because Jesus willingly took our divine punishment, the result of God’s righteousness against sin. “For the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus endured the cross on Good Friday, knowing it led to his resurrection, our salvation, and the beginning of God’s reign of righteousness and peace.

Prayer:
Lord God,
As we read about the cross, we cannot see how this day could be called "good".  All of it seems so ugly and awful.  But although the death You suffered was horrible, Your act of love is most definitely beautiful and good. You took on our sin and shame and conquered sin and death.  You made a way for us to come to live with you forever.  Thank You for Your sacrifice. We are overwhelmed by the gift You have given us. You truly are the Son of God! Help us to always remember what You have done for us.
In Your Holy Name, Amen.

On Saturday, Jesus is still dead.  No one is shouting, "Hosanna".  No one is shouting "Crucify Him!" Saturday is silent...just like Jesus' body in the tomb.  The disciples have scattered.  They are scared.  They don't understand.  Have you been there? Have you been in a terrible place where you're not sure what is going to happen?  Have you sat in silence wondering if God would show up?  Have you ever waited for a miracle even when it looked hopeless?  Saturday looked hopeless to Jesus' followers, too.  Don't give up.  Sunday is coming!

Prayer:
Dear Father,
We know Jesus understands what it is like to live in a broken world. He knows how it feels to be anxious, sad and disappointed.  Help us to hold on to the hope we find in Your promises.  You are working even when we cannot see it.  You are interested in the details of our lives - what our hearts long for and what we desire.  Please make our desires align with Yours.  Help us to wait on you and your plans.  Forgive us when we are hopeless and forget all that You have already done for us! We trust You, Jesus!
In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Join us this morning for a celebration of Jesus' resurrection! We will see you at our services at 8:45 am or 11am.  We will have a time of fellowship
at 10 am. We look forward to seeing you!

Prayer:
Dear God, remind me this Easter not to let myself become numb to the gospel. Please soften my heart and allow me to remember all You’ve done for me and all You continue to do. Help me to remember Your power this Easter. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.