GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 6

Hebrews 10:16b “I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”

The death of Jesus Christ marked a monumental and cataclysmic event. At that moment, the relationship of humankind with the God of history, the creator of the universe, changed. The separation between God and humanity was removed and replaced by a new reality in our midst: the kingdom of God. Human beings would henceforth live with two realities.

In one (nothing new), our reality is defined by human self-interest; in the other (seen through the eyes of faith), reality is defined by the self-sacrificing love of God with Christ at the center. One measures success by personal gain; the other measures success by self-giving love to restore broken communities. One depends on self-initiative; the other depends on God’s initiative. Both demand a response. With Christ at the center, one always looks out for the interests of the least powerful and most vulnerable; otherwise, one seeks to preserve ones own interests as a primary goal.

When we look at Jesus crucified, we should ask ourselves whether we see God’s love poured out to create a new reality with Christ at the center. Or, do we see business as usual? For those enabled to see the world with the eyes of faith, our self-interest has been crucified with Christ, and we have been set free to be God’s agents of love in a world full of brokenness and pain.

God of grace, open our eyes to see your reality. Take away the narrowness of a vision limited by self-interest. Bless us with the capacity to serve you and the world you have placed in our care with the laws you have placed in our hearts and written on our minds. Amen.

Ernest Krug

MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 5

Matthew 26:40 Jesus came to the disciples and found them sleeping; "Could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you might not come into a time of trial; the sprit is indeed willing but the flesh is weak."

There is probably no greater insult than the time someone is sharing something important with you and you fall asleep in the middle of it. So it has happened countless times in the Borchardt household when the old man is trying to listen to a tale of joy and excitement where Judy, in response to the question "How was your day, dear?" lays it all out in detail. In the middle of a sentence, she stops and asks "Are you listening? No you are NOT!" In an attempt to cover my tracks I repeat the most recent sentence she said, but the ruse doesn't work. So, the relationship has to be re-built and we start over.

How do you think Jesus felt when his disciples fell asleep at the moment he is seeking personal support in a life-threatening crisis?

Jesus breaks into our lives in the middle of the New Testament lesson on Easter morning when we are asleep before the sermon even starts. John Judson notices but so does God, which is what really matters.

God, please grant us the strength and persistence to hear your word and feel your presence with us as we worship you in this trying time for our faith. We have heard this Easter message so often that we are anesthetized and tend to fall asleep upon hearing it again. Don't let that happen. Instead, use the reading and preaching of this season to renew our commitments and make us more than just names on the pew pads. Amen.

Hank Borchardt

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4

Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

During the time of Lent, I try to give something up that would help me follow Jesus' teaching to better myself and my surrounding community. Yes, I give up complaining.

This is a whole lot harder than you think. Each day I ask for forgiveness from my negativity and a fresh, positive start. By Easter, my heart is fuller, lighter and overflowing with Christ's love. My complaining has lessened and I truly feel better. Having a wonderful family, friends, neighbors and church community has been a gift from God. I rejoice and thank you First Presbyterian for helping me follow Jesus and strengthen my faith. I am filled with sincere thankfulness!

Dear Lord, I offer You each moment of this day. Whatever comes, the unexpected problems, diversions from Your work, the need-filled self indulgences and all of my complaints, I know Your love for me is limitless. Guide me to seek Your love and draw me closer to You. Amen.

Kim McGlynn

MONDAY, APRIL 2

Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

Los Manos de los Americanos

As a Presbyterian, I have always been challenged by the significance of the last supper. Without the literal concept of transubstantiation, I find myself wondering what Jesus meant when he urged the disciples to partake of his body and blood. The allusion to food must suggest some form of sustenance, but how is something as frail as a body supposed to sustain the divinity of a savior?

The answer quite literally fell into my hands in Leona Vicario, Mexico. Several times, actually:

As an offering plate passed around a tiny church construction site in Tres Leches.

As I overcame language barriers and taught knitting by demonstration, rather than with words.

As I pressed dough into tortillas.

As a member of our group massaged tired limbs.

As we clasped hands and prayed at our last Mexican supper, I found my meaning. Through our hands, we were able to give, to teach, to cook, to soothe, to pray. If our hands alone can do so much, then the body of Christ is the body of mission, and what a glorious vessel of good work it is.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

Katie Blair

PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 1

Mark 12:29-31 “The most important commandment is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”

The PW Mom's Circle asked our children "How do you show God's love to others?" Here are their responses:

"By helping and spending time with my siblings." (Madeleine, age 17)

"When someone is not included, I ask them if they want to be a part of this." (Francesca, age 7)

"I hug everybody!" (Sophia, age 5)

"By going to my friends houses and having my friends come to my house." (Magnus, age 4)

"I show God's love to others by being nice to them." (Gwendolyn, age 6)

"By just playing and sharing." (Benjamin, age 3)

"I make crafts for others." (Nicole, age 5)

"I share my toys." (Megan, age 3)

"I show God's love by helping others." (Colton, age 9)

"I show God's love by being nice and more peaceful in the world. I recycle to show love to the Earth and I am kind and loving to animals." (Emerson, age 6)

"I show God's love by taking care and loving animals like dogs and cats, and by not giving up when bad things happen." (Logan, age 5)

"By friending, accepting and helping everyone around me." (Sam, age 15)

"By being nice and positive to everyone – everywhere." (Emily, age 10)

"I like to make love cards to make people feel better." (Sean Patrick, age 5)

Dear God, Help us to do the things we should, to be to others kind and good; in all we do in work or play, to grow more loving every day. Amen.

PW Mom's Circle