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Happy Holy Week, friends! I hope you found yourself ushered into the events that we reflect on this week during yesterday’s time of worship together. No matter what you do to position your heart during the Lent season, I hope you’re finding your own “encounters with Jesus,” to steal from Kevin’s sermon series title.

This week we’ll see each other a lot! Tonight the church commissioners and board will meet to discuss the work of our body. Be prayerful for the conversations that we’ll have and the decisions that we’ll make. On Wednesday, we’ll be together for another Wednesday Roots Night. You know the drill for how that night works, but maybe make an extra effort to get here and join Pastor Kevin for his special Adult Bible study on Holy Week. 

That’s not all! On Thursday, we’ll remember the final days of Jesus’ life with our Maundy Thursday Love Feast. New to Love Feast? That’s okay, I was too, not that long ago! Love Feast is a Church of the Brethren tradition where we practice what Jesus’ demonstrated at the last supper. We begin in the Family Life Center with a time of worship and self-examination. This time is to help prepare our hearts for what comes next in the evening. Following, we will move to the Family Life Center where we sit at gender-specific tables. Here we will share the “Fellowship Meal,” a traditional, simple meal to remember the meal that Jesus shared with his disciples in the upper room. After the meal we follow Jesus’ example in John 13 to wash each other's feet. This act of service is done with the guidance of our church Deacons. We conclude this meaningful evening with communion, just like Jesus did, breaking the bread and drinking of the cup. I hope you’ll consider joining us this week for this special worship service. It is a really beautiful way to remember the work and life of Jesus, especially with what is ahead on Friday. 

We’ll be back together on Sunday to celebrate our risen King! All are welcome at the home of Alan and Pam Platt for the “Sonrise Service,” starting at 6pm. Worship services will convene at their regular times. Invite a friend!

One of our family traditions at Easter is to go out for breakfast and then head to Green Dragon flea market for some goodies. I’m looking forward to that morning together. I hope you all have some time together ahead with the people you’re closest to!

 

What WE’RE Learning This Week: A nugget of what our Lil’, Youth and Adults Roots heard this week

Our Family Theme: Repentance and Restoration

Our Root Text: 2 Samuel 11:1—12:25

Verse of the Month: Ephesians 2:8–9

How Every Generation Lives This Out: Talk as a family… What does it look like to turn away from sin and to avoid it at all costs?

 

What I’M Learning This Week: Sharing what I’m reading and listening to lately

You’ll find these chronological Holy Week readings in your bulletin, or you can listen each day HERE. Today’s readings talk of Jesus turning the tables in the tabernacle. He gets right to work after entering Jerusalem, nothing about his triumphal entry, no basking in glory from the adoring crowds, would change his course - even in his last days he was passionately after hearts. 

 

Read and reflect on this meditation/poem from Paul David Tripp’s Lenten Devotional, “Journey to the Cross.” (emphasis mine)

“Out of love for your

Father, 

compassion for those

excluded, 

commitment to promises made to

Abraham, 

You overturned the plan of those who

stained the Father’s house, 

declaring the zeal of 

Your heart, 

Your holy mission, 

Your eternal position. 

This zeal, then and now, 

My hope.

Your anger, then and now, 

My security. 

Your promises, then and now, 

My rest. 

Your grace, then and now, 

My life. 

For I know you will

remain zealous, 

act in holy anger, 

and overturn

the final table, 

and I will dwell

safe

in your Father’s house

forever.”

 

Make Every Week Count: Parenting, Grandparenting & Spiritual Mentoring Resources

Something to Read: The Common Rule is one of my favorite books, it’s the sister book to “Habits of the Household” which we studied together two summers ago. They’re releasing a teen version of the book in June! Pre-order it today!

Something to Listen to: Here’s a fun, interactive podcast for kids through the events of each day of Holy Week! Listen along to the Easter Series on the Truth Seekers podcast!

Something to Follow: Another teen resource this week.. I’ve shared some of Axis’ tools before. This new conversation guide is a must read for pre-teen parents. View or download “A Parent’s Guide To Kicking Off The Sex Talk: Six Conversations.”

 

How Can You Pray? Prayer Requests and Praises from Roots Ministries

PRAY for another commission! This week let’s pray for the Ministry Commission. They make decisions over the staff personnel and the spiritual health of the church. 

PRAISE for the many church members sharing their musical giftings with the congregation yesterday and those preparing to share on Easter Sunday, as well!