Holy Week: The Passion of God’s Relationship Building Love for All!

With the Season of Lent coming to a close, we now enter the most Holy of Weeks. Throughout His life, and especially for the last six weeks, Jesus has been preparing us for this week. At the culmination of this “Most Holy Week” we will see, again, the fullness of God’s relationship building love for the world, for all people.

We will see Jesus defiantly and triumphantly ride into the lion’s den, into the fullness of our sin, to shouts of “Hosanna”; knowing, in one short week, many of the same people will be shouting, “Crucify Him!” In spite of their/our sin, we will see Jesus continue to teach, preach, heal, forgive, and love them all. We will see Jesus institute the Meal of God’s reconciling relationship building love for all. We will see Jesus complete God’s plan of salvation for the world, prepared from before the creation of the world, when Jesus will shout in victory from His Cross, “It is finished!”

During this Holy Week, you are invited to join us at St. John’s to witness, “The Passion of God’s Relationship Building Love for All!” Here is our worship schedule:

April 10: Palm/Passion Sunday: ZOOM at 9:00am; In-Person at St. John’s at 10:30

Jesus’ Passion for the World to See and Know God’s Relationship of Love

April 12: John 9:1-34 - Jesus’ Sign of Giving Sight: Healing Service, 6:30pm ZOOM

April 13: John 11:1-44 - Jesus’ Last Sign, A Preview of Resurrection Love for All, 6:30 ZOOM

April 14: Maundy Thursday, The Fulfilling Meal of God’s Relationship of Love for All, 6:30pm ZOOM

April 15: Good Friday, “It is Finished!” 6:30pm on ZOOM

April 17: Easter Celebration of God’s 8th Sign, God’s Resurrection Love for All!

7:15 Sunrise Service at St. John’s; ZOOM Service at 9:00am

An Easter Egg Hunt after each service. Both at St. John’s

 Please email me for ZOOM links at: pastorricksjlc@bellsouth.net

What is the definition of Eternal Life!

 The words “eternal life” is an important phrase in the New Testament. Matthew 19:16-30, 25:46; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 10:25-37, 18:30; and John 3:16, 3:36, 4:14, 36, and found in chapters 5, 6, 10, 12, 17 of John’s gospel.

Many scholars believe the phrase “eternal life” is Not just living forever with Jesus/God in heaven when we die. Whereas that is true, according to the gospel writers, who received their material from Jesus, “eternal life” was more about living the “good news” of God’s love for all Now! That makes a lot of sense as we pray in The Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth - as it is in heaven.” Jesus’ words in the references above attest to that gospel truth. Jesus lived to help people live lives of love, right then, to help them have the life God intended for the world to have at creation. What if we loved, forgave, welcomed, and accepted all people, now, as Jesus did throughout His life and ministry? We would have more peace and hope, more “eternal life”, now, that our world, we all, so desperately need. As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments.

The “key” word in John 3:16!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (NRSV)

I believe a very key word in this beloved Bible verse is “everyone.” Why? Well, according to Jesus, everyone means everyone. Remember, Jesus is speaking here and not you or me. We tend to want people to believe in Jesus, the way we do, and/or by our prejudices. Many Churches believe Jesus came for everyone; however, to truly “have eternal life”, to be “saved”, “everyone” has to have “their” beliefs. What if people of color, of a different nationality, sexual persuasion, homeless, on death row, etc.; what if they knew Jesus’ word “everyone” included them? What if “everyone” loved, forgave, accepted, and welcomed all people as Jesus did? What could, what would our world look like? As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments.

Meditations on Jesus’ Seven Last Words:

 As we prepare for Holy Week, here is a series of Meditations on Jesus' Seven Last Words.

“Father, forgive them”, Luke 23:34

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTCbyomIOqE&t=162s

“Truly I tell you, Today, you will be with Me in Paradise”, Luke 23:43

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WH-KIsE6zg&t=66s

"Woman, here is your son. Here is your mother”, John 19:26-27

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL1FZ90cvbI

 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”, Matthew 27:46

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHFoAjhPn5I

 “I am thirsty”, John 19:28

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unc-GtouGeE

 “It is finished!”, John 19:30

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EjNWV-Wu4w&t=8s

 “Father, into your hands, I commend My Spirit.”, Luke 23:46

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8X4sx9e9xg&t=7s


Psalm 23: The Lord is "my" Shepherd

Psalm 23 is arguably the greatest Psalm. Here is a meditation on God's love for "you" and "all people" beloved Psalm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT7INK5b4R0