Good Friday Connections

“Good Friday Connections”

Sometimes it is good to slow down and think about things. For over a millenia Christians have set aside the 40 days before Easter (not counting the Sundays) to do just this; to examine and reflect on their own lives as well as on the cross of Jesus and what this means for them.

Part of this is experienced in special worship. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, a worship time of reflection both on who we are and how the cross of Jesus intersects with our great need. (Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust, Victory in the Cross!). This is then followed by Wednesday worship on each of the following Wednesdays leading up to Palm Sunday. Again, the focus is on our unique human condition and how the cross of Jesus meets us there with the overwhelming love of God.  Finally, on the Thursday and Friday before Easter there is special worship as we turn our hearts and minds to the last two days of Jesus life and His last words spoken from the cross.

Our theme for our Lenten Wednesday worship beginning with Ash Wednesday on February 26th is “Good Friday Connections.” Good Friday is the day on which Jesus died. And our connections to this horrible, yet wonderful day is with the people who were there. John and Peter and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and more. Each evening we will examine the great needs of our human condition through the eyes and experiences of those who were there – as well as what it means to be under the reality of the cross of Jesus.

Sometimes it is good to slow down and think about things, especially the things that matter and how Jesus is there. These Wednesdays are just such an opportunity.

Ash Wednesday, February 26th               John: Not Meant To Be Alone (Imposition of Ashes/Holy Communion)

Do you remember the line from the song? “Number one is the loneliest number…” It’s true. We were not made to do life alone. Yet, at times, we feel so alone. It’s why Jesus came with the message of the cross.

Wednesday, March 4th                Peter: A Difficult Forgiveness

I knew a man – a very good man – who had served in the Army in a war and could not forgive himself for what he had to do as a soldier. No matter what I said over a number of years, his self-condemnation was so great that I don’t think he could even hear my voice. Can you relate? If so, there is one voice that is strong enough for all of us to hear. It comes from the cross.

Wednesday, March 18th            The Centurion: What Now?

Have you ever been in that place in your life where you are asking this question? (What now?) The cross of Jesus is like a line of demarcation in our lives. It changes everything. And it also brings an answer to our “What now?”

Wednesday, March 25th              Mother of Criminal: Believe!

I think “faith” gets a bad rap. Everyone thinks it is so weak. But really, it is the strongest thing in our existence. Think about it. Would you get married if you didn’t believe the promise of your spouse to “love and to cherish you for a lifetime?” Would you go to work if you didn’t believe you were going to get paid? Would you pay to put gas in your car if you weren’t sure it was gas? Everything we do is based on faith. The message of the cross today to you?...Believe!

Wednesday, April 1            Mary: It’s Not Over

Do you know the Yogi Bear-ism? “It’s not over ‘til it’s over.” What he was saying is that in any athletic contest one should never relax and think they have it won because well… “it’s not over ‘til it’s over.” What does this have to do with the cross and our lives? It’s what we look at tonight.

Thursday, April 9th 7pm                       The Last Days: A Living Example (Maundy Thursday)

As my father got older, he would often say to us, his children, “Now I want you guys to love each other – and your mother – when I’m gone.” His words, spoken more and more often, were strong, but the most powerful thing he did was to live his life loving us and our mother. Tonight, we focus on the living example of Jesus for us in His last days. It too is powerful!

Friday, April 10th, 7pm  The Last Word: It is Finished (Good Friday)

“Scoreboard!” It is what is said when there is a strong disagreement over who the better team is after they have played a game. Who won? “Scoreboard!” That settles it! It’s the “last word!” Tonight we look at the “last word” of Jesus for us.  “Scoreboard!”