Grace to you, and peace, in the name of Christ our Lord.
Worship ended on Sunday with a quiet choral response that struck a minor key, a reminder to us that the week we are entering as we leave the sanctuary on Sunday morning is one that will move us inexorably toward the cross.
The service certainly did not begin in a minor key. The children of the church made their way into the sanctuary waving palm branches and singing “King of Kings.” Their joy and enthusiasm was contagious, and the entire congregation stood to sing “All Glory, Laud, and Honor.” We welcomed this day, the beginning of Holy Week, by remembering that Jesus rides into Jerusalem as a different kind of king. His peaceful kingdom is enough to make us take up palms and sing, right in the middle of the shaking city, even with the cross right around the corner.
Thanks to the peal ringers, the children, the choirs, and all the people who helped make Sunday a wondrous day of worship.
Now we are in the middle of this week called “holy.” Each day brings us closer to the cross. We will gather in Wilson Hall on Thursday evening for a simple meal around the tables. Maundy Thursday worship will begin there, and then move to the sanctuary for the Lord’s Supper. We will come together again on Good Friday for a service of Tenebrae. As the sanctuary is gradually darkened, we will listen to the old story of the cross and hear, through the pain, good news.
We are excited to join again for the third year with our sister church, Historic Franklin Presbyterian, for Easter Sunrise worship, followed by breakfast. Our regular worship services will occur Easter morning as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord.
We were sent out this Sunday in the shadow of the cross, a sign of God’s love poured out in Christ. My prayer for each of you is that you would experience the presence of Christ in the midst of this Holy Week, and that his presence will bring you a greater awareness of God’s love, and deep resurrection joy.
Peace,
Pastor Chris
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