Peace Presbyterian Church

“A Holy Week”

As we enter the month of April, we also enter an important time in the Christian year. The second week of April is Holy Week, a week when we remember the last week of Jesus’ life and when we recall His journey to the cross. The word “holy” means to “be set apart for God.” So during this week, consider how you can set yourself apart for God. Some possible ways to do so include: attending our special services; doing daily devotionals; spending time journalling, or meditating in prayer; watching a film such as The Passion; discussing the significance of Easter with your family and children. Holy Week offers each of us the opportunity to refocus on the cross of Christ.

On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, as the promised King and Messiah of Israel. Palm Sunday derives its name from how the crowds praised God as they laid cloaks and palm branches on the grounds before Jesus as He entered the holy city. Matthew says in 21:9, that the crowds shouted out, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Not only did the crowds praise God, so too did the children in the temple courts. Jesus blessed this saying in Matthew 21:16, “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.” Our children will lead us as we begin our worship on Palm Sunday with a procession of palms. On Maundy Thursday, we will have our first Seder dinner as a church family. The Seder dinner is the Passover meal that reminds us of the significance of God’s powerful and redemptive actions on our behalf. This dinner represents a turning point between His Triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His death on the cross. As we celebrate the Seder dinner together, each element will help us to remember God’s saving and redemptive works in the lives of His people, in the Exodus and in Christ’s death on the cross. Come and join us as we celebrate our first Seder together, as we celebrate the love that God has shown us in Jesus Christ.

On Good Friday, we will remember the final steps in Jesus’ journey to the cross. The term “Good Friday” may seem strange to us especially as we read anew and again the story of Jesus’ final moments. The name for this day stems from the immeasurable benefits we receive from His death for us on the cross. It was a painful day and death for Jesus, as we can see from the depiction of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 52-3 and from the Gospels. But because of Jesus’ pain, we can now have new life, forgiveness and reconciliation to God. Good Friday is good news for us, but also challenging news as we are reminded that our sins have caused the death of Jesus.

On Easter Sunday, Holy Week culminates with a joyful celebration of the heart of our faith. Jesus has risen from the dead! We know this to be true for the common refrain from Scripture is that the early disciples actually saw the risen Jesus. As Mary Magdalene says in John 20:18, “I have seen the Lord!” This is great news, for the resurrection of Christ completely transformed the lives of the disciples, who left behind timidity and fear to become bold and willing servants and even martyrs. As Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:17, “And if Christ has not been raised either, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” Easter reminds us that God has a gracious and powerful plan for our lives and for our world, to save us, to forgive us and to give us new life in Christ. How has the empty tomb changed your life? How has the risen Lord impacted your life? As we celebrate Easter, we will ponder how we can live boldly and confidently for Christ alone. As we celebrate Holy Week, let us remember that Christ took the journey to the cross because of us, and for us. Let us embrace the gift of new life Christ has for us, in Him and because of Him. Let us affirm anew that Christ is Risen, Christ is Risen Indeed!

Happy Easter,
Pastor Brian

Sermons for April 2006

April 2: Communion Sunday
Isaiah 61:1-4; Luke 6:17-19
“The Blessings of Healing”

April 9: Palm Sunday
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; John 12:12-16
“Jesus Has Come in the Name of the Lord”

April 16: Resurrection Sunday
Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18
“I Have Seen the Lord”

April 23: Special Alpha Presentation

April 30: John 8:12; Matthew 5:13-16
“Sharing the Light”

When provided, please read and reflect on the Scriptures ahead of time in preparation for hearing and responding to God’s Word as it is read and proclaimed.

Archive of Pastor’s Pages: links to Pastor Brian’s newsletters and now his sermons, too.
View Pastor Brian’s Personal Statement of Faith.