Last night Calvary members had the opportunity to once again worship with our neighbors across the street, St. John Vianney Catholic Church, at the annual Wednesday (Holy Week) Tenebrae service. For those who were not here or have not attended one of these services in past years, I want to tell you about this incredibly moving and passionate worship experience. "What's so special?" you may ask. Let me tell you...

First, the chance to worship side by side with fellow Christians - minus the labels of Lutheran or Cathlolic - and to truly feel His presence among us and know that He is one with us, gives us a vision of peace and hope in this crazy mixed-up world.

Second, to hear the readings and reflections of Holy Week and to spiritually follow in our Lord's footsteps brings to the forefront how incredibly awesome and mind-boggling this thing is that He did for us. Our Lord was sinless, blameless, clean. Yet, because of His love for us (pathetic, ungrateful creatures that we are) he allowed himself to be betrayed, beaten, denied, ridiculed, tortured beyond belief, and finally, cruelly nailed to a cross and murdered. Yeah, murdered.

Third, when, in the middle of this worship service, we process (long "o": pro-'cess) across the street with our candles, for all the world (or at least all those on Calhoun Road) to see, and we place those candles on the wooden cross, the reality of His death hits us. Yet the glowing of the cross reminds us that even on that Friday so many years ago, there was a "light at the end of the tunnel" for those mourning at the foot of the cross, and so for us today. Jesus not only died, not only was placed in a grave, but - just as He said He would - He defeated death, and rose on the third day. And guess what? Because of all this, we get a PAID IN FULL stamp on all our sins. And He's coming again! Ahhhh, what an amazing thing to look forward to!

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXp6xcY5IqU

Lastly, after worshipping and experiencing the Gospels of the Passion, we have the opportunity to "fellowship" with our brothers and sisters in Christ at the reception following the service. Side note: Fellowship is a funny word, isn't it? Especially when used as a verb. We tend to only use this word in church settings. But what does it really mean? Talk and eat? Sure, but more than that. It's the sharing of conversation and food. It's a shared companionship. It's a realization that we are truly "brothers and sisters in Christ" and join together as such in true Christian friendship. Even if we don't particularly know every person, we know that we can, without fear or hesitancy, join in their company like old friends. And, yes, talk and eat, too!

How blessed we are at Calvary Lutheran Church! Even amidst personal trials, economic downturns, political disagreements, sickness, death, or anything else this old world can throw at us... we know that we can, together with our Christian brothers and sisters, worship at the foot of the cross and praise Him for all He has done for us. I encourage each and every one of you reading this blog to do this: go to the foot of the cross, worship, praise, pray, rejoice, thank, and lay all your troubles at His feet, for He truly cares for and truly loves you.

Calvary has opportunities to worship tonight at 7 pm (Maundy Thursday), tomorrow at 10 am (Good Friday Family Worship) & 7 pm (Good Friday Tenebrae Worship). On Saturday, come and pray at the Easter Prayer Vigil from 5-7 pm. Then rejoice with us on Easter Sunday at 8:15 & 10:45 am. (And don't forget to "fellowship" at the Easter breakfast at 9:30 am.)

If you regularly come to these services, great! We'll see you here! If you don't come regularly, or haven't been to church in a while, or even if you have never been to church - come. I promise you won't regret it. The wonderful, clear message is here for you: He loves you!

May the glory and promise of Easter bring you peace and happiness!

Spring 2o1o

Some post-Easter Bible passages: (Or are we ever post Easter? Isn't it a wonderful celebration everyday?)

hi from mn - Sarah

You are my hiding place and my shield: I hope in your word. Psalm 119:114

He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.
He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.
In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Psalm 72:5-8

Psalm 148
1 Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights above.

2 Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

3 Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars.

4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.

6 He set them in place for ever and ever;
he gave a decree that will never pass away.

7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,

9 you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,

10 wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,

11 kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,

12 young men and maidens,
old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

14 He has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all his saints,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the LORD.

Psalm 3
A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.

1 O LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!

2 Many are saying of me,
"God will not deliver him."
Selah

3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

4 To the LORD I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.
Selah

5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

6 I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side.

7 Arise, O LORD!
Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.

8 From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.
Selah

Two Easter Tunes

In Christ Alone

My Redeemer Lives

Happy Easter!
Sarah

"Easter Costs Less at Walmart"

I have to admit that I'm addicted to the TV show Lost. I've been with it from the very first few shows, and now that the series finale is just a few weeks away, I already find myself going through withdraw. However, in a very exciting episode last night, I was completely distracted by something else on TV...this commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybU6XCdY3Dw

Because of the sheer volume of product that Walmart is able to sell, they are able to lower their prices, and in reality, Easter dinner, Easter baskets, Easter outfits, etc are most likely cheaper there than most other places. However, the wording of the closing tag line, "Easter Costs Less at Walmart" became a reflective moment for me during Holy Week. At what cost did God give us the gift of Easter, who, through showing us His great love for us, reconciled us to Himself?

In his first book, the apostle Peter writes "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." In Isaiah 53, the prophet writes "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

The price of Easter - of God's sacrifice and raising of his own Son - is a gift that is truly, truly priceless. No matter where you go, Easter will not cost less than the blood of Christ.

As a mid-Holy week reflection, here's a beautiful song written by Third Day's Mark Powell...



Peace,
Dave