Pastor Tim's Messages for Lent (Day Ten).

Day Ten-The Symbol of Community in the Upper Room:

Brothers and Sisters, as we enter this Saturday and day ten of Lent we go back to the upper room. The night that Jesus gathered with his disciples was a night that consisted of celebration, arguments, servanthood, and betrayal. The disciples that gathered this night did not believe or even understand that they were acting inappropriately, and were left in a state of shock at the events that occurred. How often do we go through life not understanding the results of our actions, even when we are unaware that our actions are hurtful or even misunderstood.  As a Minister of Word and Sacrament and the Shepherd of a flock, there have been several times in which I acted non-pastoral without even knowing it. Brothers and Sisters the grasp of the message for today is that while we may hurt others without knowing it, and have not acted the role of a servant, we are not a perfect people. Through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, we are made a people that are forgiven and always given new opportunities to be the servants that God created us to be and that Christ (The Suffering Servant) died for us to be.Through his betrayal, arrest, persecution, crucifixion, and resurrection, Christ makes us a new and offers us the gift of "Hope" and "Faith". 

We are a people that will fail, we are a people that will hurt, we are a people that will do things in awareness and unawareness. Christ Jesus the one who first suffered, gives us the hope, faith and the opportunity to be his people and his community, to correct our errors and love others as he first loved us. Today is a day to move forward and to concentrate on being a community that works on being the servants that we should be, and to go to those that we have hurt and those that have misunderstood our actions and make things anew. We represent the Body of Jesus Christ broken for us and the blood of Jesus Christ shed for us, let us go out this day with joy, thanksgiving and "community"

Scripture for today:

Ephesians 5: 18-20

Colossians 3:16

1 Corinthians 11: 24

Matthew 26: 29

Matthew 27: 4, 5

Thanks for letting me be your "imperfect" pastor

Tim.

Pastor Tim's Messages for Lent

Day Nine: The Symbol of Life in the Upper Room

The second element in the upper room meal was the cup of wine. When we remember the cup we listen to the words that Christ spoke on the night: "This is the cup of the new covenant, my blood that has been shed for you, and is poured out for the forgiveness of sins. In ancient Israel, the blood of anything meant life. So as we think of the cup of wine in the upper room, let us think of the life of Jesus Christ that was soon to be sacrificed as redemption for our sins. Brothers and Sisters, the cup of Jesus that we share, is the cup of new life in which all of us that partake are transformed. 

As a person that drinks coffee (probably too much), I consider this my morning and daily life giving drink. Some may consider their favorite soda or energy drink as their life giving drink. As we go through Lent and Journey into Easter, let us acknowledge that the cup that represents the blood of Christ shed for us, is truly our life giving drink.

Isaac Watts  wrote the following song in 1707. As you go through this day, think of these words and feel the transforming power that Only Jesus can provide.

When I survey the wondrous cross  on which the Prince of Glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

"Forbid it Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God;

All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.

"Where the whole realm of nature mine , That were present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all."

Texts for reading today: 

Matthew 26: 27, 28

Genesis 4:10

Genesis 37: 29-36

Leviticus 17:11

Ephesians 1: 5-8

Happy to be called your pastor.

Tim