| In Luke 13 we find Jesus on his journey toward Jerusalem as he taught, performed miracles, and told parables that encouraged people to change their hearts and lives. The chapter culminates with these words, lamenting the state of Jerusalem and how the people treated those sent to them by God: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!’” –Luke 13:34-35 God had sent prophets to the people of old, all the way up to Jesus. There’s a little bit of foreshadowing here—looking ahead to how Jesus himself would be treated by the people, despite how they would cheer his entrance (that we celebrate on Palm Sunday) with words like “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Those who cheered Jesus and his entry into Jerusalem would also likely be a part of the crowd calling for his execution in a few days. However, in this season of Lent that leads up to Holy Week at the end of the month, I think it’s important to see Jesus’ heart—his longing—in this lament. Lent is a time for self-reflection and for reorientation back toward Jesus and the way of Jesus. As we sit in this season, I’d love for us to sit with two things from this passage. The first is that Jesus longs to gather his people to himself. God wants to be with us; God wants to gather us together like a hen gathers her brood under her wings. In this Lenten season, may we spend time in the presence of God, taking time for the kind of prayer and reflection that rests in God’s love and presence. The second thing to notice is that often our reaction to correction is to “not have it!” Jerusalem had been sent prophets—including Jesus himself—and resisted God’s call to change direction, going as far as killing those sent to them. How are we resistant to God’s message for change-of-direction in our own lives today? Are we open to correction from God, or are we “not having it?” Are we taking the kind of time in reflection that it takes to truly examine ourselves before the Lord during Lent? I hope, over the next several weeks leading up to Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, that we can all take the time in prayer, reading, and reflection that is necessary to truly ask God “where do I need to redirect to follow you more closely?” And I hope, above all, that we understand how much God loves us and wants to gather us together and be with us. May you each encounter God as you open yourselves to the working of the Spirit this season! Much love, Bobby Kirkpatrick Vacation Bible School Registration VBS Registration for the community will open on March 19th and spots fill up fast! Contact the church office if you need to get your child/children registered. Volunteers Needed for VBS VBS hosts over 200 kids on our campus and we couldn’t do it without our wonderful volunteers. We have opportunities for students 6th-12th grade and adults. Please use the links below to register as a volunteer. Thank you so much for supporting children from our church and community. Student Volunteer Registration Adult Volunteer Registration Women’s Ministry Survey Amy Boyer, the new Women’s Ministry Coordinator, and her team are working on plans for the months ahead. Ladies, they would love your input on activities and how you would like to connect with others. If you are interested in completing a quick survey to provide input, please follow the link below. Complete Women’s Ministry Survey 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. Spring Connection Team Our Spring Connection Team leaves for Coahuila, Mexico on Saturday; please be praying for them as they travel. Also remember to pray for them throughout next week as they engage in ministry in a cross-cultural community witnessing God’s action in the context of Coahuila, Mexico Friends Churches. We look forward to hearing about their work and trip during worship on Sunday, March 17th. Happy Birthday! Join us on March 23 in the Coffee Cafe from 1-3 PM to celebrate Linn Eignus’ 100th Birthday! In lieu of gifts bring memories to share! March Sunday Evening Schedule March 10 | Spring Break No Evening Activities March 17 | Evening Activities at Normal Times and Locations March 24 | Evening Activities at Normal Times and Locations March 31 | Easter Sunday No Evening Activities Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5 |
