Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we prepare for Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week, I am aware that we have much on our hearts and minds. It is a time of sorrow for our congregation as we grieve the deaths of dear friends and faithful disciples. The funerals of Bob Kirlin and Judy Zimmerman are before us, and we will honor the life of Dottie Weir in a Memorial Service in just a few days as well.
We also grieve with Randy and Pam Boer at the sudden death of his sister-in-law in Michiigan and with Erin Kirchhofer as her family will honor her brother’s life in a Celebration of Life on Sunday.
I am listing the visitations and services below for these amazing people.
While it is a sorrowful time and a busy one, it is peculiarly appropriate that Palm Sunday begins this next week because Palm Sunday is a day of both joy and sorrow. Jesus rides through the streets of Jerusalem with shouts of hosanna all around him, but he also rides with tears in his eyes. There is the joy and thanksgiving for God’s redeeming work, and there Is sorrow that sin and death can so quickly overtake us. We remember Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross but we also look to the joy of the resurrection and the presence of Christ with us always.
Remember the words of the Psalm:
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment;
his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
but joy comes with the morning (30:4-5)
We weep together for our losses and yet we rejoice that in Christ we see God in work not only in these lives that we honor but in all of our lives as we claim the promise that nothing at all can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Mary
