March 24th – Palm Sunday: Palm Sunday is becoming one of the top attended services for the Christian Church. Maybe it is because there is tangible evidence you have been to worship in the form of a palm frond. But the reality is, Palm Sunday begins the most important weeks in history – Holy Week. A week that is a roller coaster ride from the high of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the low of the execution on Good Friday, which leads to resurrection on Easter.
On Palm Sunday, we will focus on the crowd that cheered as Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the disciples who accompanied Jesus, and the crowd that gathered at the palace on Good Friday. What happened to the disciples promises to Jesus? Why the radical change in the shouts of the people on Good Friday when Pilate asked, “Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” Our message, “Is It Just for Show?” will be based on Mark 11:1-11, 14:29-31, 66-72.
See you Sunday.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jim
This Week's Scriptures
Mark 11:1-11
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
11 When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5 some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Mark 14:29-31, 66-72
29 Peter said to him, “Even though all become deserters, I will not.” 30 Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said vehemently, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And all of them said the same.
Peter Denies Jesus
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt.[a] Then the cock crowed.[b] 69 And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.” 71 But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about.” 72 At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
9am Service:
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