The Messenger - March 20, 2008

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    Pastor Neal's Notes

              An Awe-Full Week

When you hear the word "aweful," what synonyms come to mind: terrible? dreadful? ghastly? bad?

"Aweful" is often used in that sense. But the original meaning is really much more profound. That's because "aweful" is a contraction of two important words: "awe" and "full."

When you think of it in this way, much of Jesus' life was "awe-full." The crowds were awed by his miracles. The disciples were awed by his teaching. The critics were awed by his ripostes. But nothing in all of Scripture is quite as "aweful" as Christ's last week. In the space of 7 days, his followers went from the elation of Palm Sunday to the despair of Calvary to the shock of Easter Sunday. They heard cheers, jeers, agony, and assurance. They saw adulation, betrayal, humilation, and exaltation on an almost unconceivable scale.

The most joyful part of this week is clearly Easter, when Christ's courageous witness and sacrificial death is vindicated by an empty tomb. Both the most moving part of this week is Good Friday, when both the misery and love of our savior was so "awefully" displayed. Our 4 gospels report 7 "last words" (or sentences) that were uttered by our savior on that "Good" Friday, and each of these words can elicit awe:

• "I thirst" (John 19:28)

• "Why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt 27:46)

• "Father, forgive them. They know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

• "Woman, behold thy son. Son, behold thy mother!" (John 19:26,27)

• "Today, thou shalt be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43)

• "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." (Luke 23:46) And, finally,

• "It is finished." (John 19:30)

Our organist and choir will be presenting a beautiful meditation on these 7 "words" during their "Service of Darkness" at 7 p.m. this (Maundy) Thursday, March 20. We'll share in the Lord's Last Supper, just as Christ's disciples did almost 2000 years ago. Then, we'll listen to Dale Wood's deep and moving arrangements of our Savior's words.

Finally, on Easter Sunday, we'll cheer the joyous news of our Lord's return with trumpet, organ, lillies, and full choir. In order to accomodate guests (and family meals), services will be held at both 9 and 11 a.m.

Most people find this to be the most moving week of the whole church year. Even skeptics of the faith are deeply moved by the story of Jesus' death upon the cross. And everyone loves a story of an Easter type of story in which those who are beaten down rise up in victory again. So, bring your friends and family to both of these depictions of that "awe-full" week. You'll be glad you did.

Neal

David's Team ----- Off
Jim's Team    ----- Off
Erik & Carrie  ----- Off
Brad & Maureen - Off