Blog:FOREST LAKE TALKS

Sunday is Palm Sunday, and this next week is known as Holy Week. It is the week when everyone who claims to be a disciple of Jesus Christ reflects on what it means to follow Jesus. I know that the demands of work, school and life press hard on each of us. But I’d like to ask you to set some goals for your own walk of faith for this one week. And, as you might expect, I have a few suggestions.

Always, coming to worship is something that I hope you will make a priority. Palm Sunday and Easter Services are at 10 AM. We also have a 7 AM Easter Sunrise Service in the Church Parlor. Then, on Maundy Thursday, between 4 and 6, we will celebrate communion in small groups we call Upper Room Communion (remembering how Jesus ate his last supper before being arrested). You can come as you are anytime between 4 and 6 to take communion which will take each small group about 15 minutes. Before and after Communion there are stations designed to help us think about the meaning of this night. And at 7:00 PM we will all go to the Forest Acres Police Department to pray for those who work there (more about that later). The Good Friday service begins at 6 PM in the sanctuary. We remember the seven last words of Jesus and sing the songs of our faith, focusing on the crucifixion and the cost of our salvation.

Every day of Holy Week, you are invited to join with other FLPC folks at sites in our own neighborhood to pray for our community. See inside for the locations and times. The pop-up prayers will only take 10-15 minutes each. But this allows us to put our feet where we say our hearts and prayers are. Come to one or come to all locations, but come.

Or you might want to set your own personal goal. Consider setting a time for prayer each day (early morning works best for me)? Or think about fasting for 24 hours. You might want to read one of the Gospels (Mark is the shortest, but I’m partial to John). Or you could write a letter of encouragement and thanks to people who have been important to you in your own faith journey every day of Holy Week. Do something that you do not normally do in observance of Holy Week. And be open to how God may be calling you to walk in the way of Jesus both during Holy Week and beyond.

However you do it, please prepare your hearts for worship on Easter morning in some way that is meaningful to you. Then, in the light of the new day that God will bring, I will see you in worship on Easter morning.