| The Weight of Waiting: Holy Saturday When Nathan and I were first married we had the opportunity to live in Costa Rica while attending a Spanish language school. During our time there, we were able to experience the country closing down, allowing Costa Ricans to participate in religious processions, ceremonies, and other traditions to commemorate the events leading up to Easter Sunday. This begins with the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the day when Jesus fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah: Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The journey of Holy Week continues recounting the final days of Jesus, including the Last Supper, His crucifixion, burial, and ultimately His resurrection. Typically it is a week of profound reflection and a remembrance of the hope we are given because of the resurrection on Easter Sunday. However, amidst all the events, there is one day that often goes overlooked: Saturday, the day between the crucifixion and resurrection. Saturday is a day of waiting: a day of great grief, uncertainty, and silence. It is a daywhen the disciples are overwhelmed by the sadness of Jesus’ death, waiting with their confusion, doubt, and despair. Everything they had imagined is now lifeless and cold. The one they thought would save them from all Roman oppression is now gone, taking with Him their hope. In many ways, I feel Holy Saturday is a representation of our own experiences of waiting through difficult times. That much of our life is spent on the “Saturday” of waiting, where we find ourselves in the in-between. On our “Friday”, we have been given the diagnosis of an illness, delivered the divorce papers, suffered the loss of a loved one, experienced a financial crisis, or are in a period of intense struggle, and we are left wondering when, or if, relief will come. Several years ago I remember being in my own despair and pleading for God to “take this cup from me”. I was overwhelmed with sadness and fear, feeling the loss of what I had imagined the way things would be. Much like the disciples, nothing made sense. During these times, it can be easy to lose hope or to feel abandoned or forgotten. We may be tempted to give in to despair or to believe that our suffering will never end. But the beauty of Holy Saturday is that this is the day that reminds us that even in the darkest of times there is still reason to hope. Holy Saturday reminds us that God is present even in the silence, working in ways that we cannot see or understand. It is a day of having faith and trusting that even at our lowest moments He is still with us. Although it may not look like what we imagined, we can trust that the Lord has already gone before us to prepare a way. We can also trust that in times of waiting and uncertainty, there is an opportunity for us to be transformed by God’s grace if we allow it, holding on to hope. Just as Jesus emerged from the tomb, we too can emerge from our trials with a renewed faith and a renewed hope. The pain and the suffering—the darkness of the tomb that we have endured—can lead to a new life: a future filled with hope, promise, and joy once again. Blessings and Happy Easter friends, He is Risen! Tena Scholarship Applications Open The Patricia Ann and Robert Ladd Allen Scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming college freshman or a continuing college student. The recipient is chosen based on a strong Christian faith, active involvement in Friendswood Friends Church, character, leadership, academics, interest in Christian ministry, and financial need.The deadline for submission of applications is May 1st. Scholarship Application Women’s Bible Study Opportunities Ladies, join us on Wednesdays from 9:30-11:00 am for a bible study. We will be looking at the three enemies that sabotage our peace and what God says about recognizing them and resisting them. All you need is a bible. If you would like to dive deeper you can grab John Mark Comer’s book “Live No Lies” but it’s not necessary. The evening bible study is currently wrapping up the study over the book “Fight Like Jesus” by Jason Porterfield. This study will conclude shortly and the group will begin the study over “Ruth” on April 10. The evening bible study meets in Susan Tam’s home: 1916 Lundy Lane. Contact the church office if you have any questions. Purchase “Ruth” Bible Study Book Here Missions Night Join us on Sunday, April 14 from 5:00-6:30 PM for an interactive Missions experience. There will be booths themed to each country coordinating with our Missionary Families. Kids will participate by taking passports around the room and making crafts at each station. We will have a video call with the Linvilles at 6:00 pm and then prayer time. We hope you can join us for a Missions Night traveling around the world. Holy Week Special Services Join us March 28th for communion in a Maundy Thursday service and March 29th for a Good Friday service, both at 7:00 pm in the Chapel and nursery will be available. The Easter Sunday Sunrise Service will begin at 6:45 am on March 31. Then worship with us at 10:00 am on Easter Sunday to celebrate our risen Savior. Children will remain in the worship service where families can marvel at the joys of Easter Sunday together. Ms. Tena will read a story and provide an activity bag for the children. Handbell Rehearsals The Bell Friends will not have rehearsal this Thursday, March 28th, due to Holy Week. Regular rehearsals on Thursdays at 12:30 pm in the Worship Center will resume next week, April 4. Contact Nancy Hansen for more details. A Shower for Baby Stevens  Join us on April 13 in the Coffee Cafe at 1:00 pm to celebrate Deidre and Andrew! In place of a card, please consider bringing a baby book with your name inside. You can find a link to their registry by clicking the RSVP link. Sunday Evening Activities March 31 Easter Sunday No Evening Activities April 7 Kidzone and Bible Study 5:00 pm | Fuse 6:00 pm | Core 7:30 pm April 14 Missions Night in the Coffee Cafe 5:00-6:30 pm April 21 Kidzone and Bible Study 5:00 pm | Fuse 6:00 pm | Core 7:30 pm April 28 Kidzone and Bible Study 5:00 pm | Fuse 6:00 pm | Core 7:30 pm Sympathies Our condolences go to the family of Ann Wood. She passed away this morning. Funeral arrangements are being made for later next week. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”1 Peter 2:24 |
