Free Lunch, Thursday

By Pastor Mark McAdow
Join us today, Maundy Thursday, at noon for a vegetable soup luncheon and the celebration of Holy Communion.

Maundy is a Latin word meaning “mandate” reminding us of the events of the Last Supper where Jesus washed the feet of all his disciples and shared one final Passover meal together. The mandate Jesus gave was to “wash one another’s feet” – to serve one another in love. We’ll sing two hymns, eat lunch, share a brief devotion, and receive Holy Communion using traditional matza crackers. We’ll be finished by 12:45. Come for lunch and stay as long as you’d like. It is a special day.
 
Let me encourage you to also invite a friend to come for lunch or Good Friday worship at 7 p.m. or Easter Sunday worship at 7, 9 or 11 a.m. this Sunday. Don’t be “that guy” we saw in the video last Sunday! Some people are just waiting for an invitation to come to church from a Christian friend – they really are. Robin invited our neighbors today with a plate of homemade brownies!
 
I had a wonderful experience last week. I went to Academy to buy some new running shoes after my big “victory” last Saturday. The young man at the cash register was wearing a silver cross. I was wearing my cross made of nails as well. I said, “I noticed your cross; are you a believer?” He said “Yes.” “Are you?” “Yes.”

He then asked me another question, “What is your favorite Bible verse and why?” I don’t think a stranger has ever asked me that before! I shared Isaiah 41:10 from memory, “Do not fear for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

I then asked him his favorite verse. He said he didn’t have one yet. “I grew up in the church and I’m just now coming back to religion.” I said, “Great, but being a Christian isn’t really about religion; it’s about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” He looked at me and said “thanks.” That’s what I like to call a “divine appointment.” I didn’t start out in his line, but the Lord provided a way to make it happen.
 
Looking forward to sharing Easter with you this Sunday as we share in two planned baptisms at 9 a.m. worship. God is good! Have a Happy and blessed holy weekend.
 
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Mark
 
PS: Our first ever Holy Saturday Gospels reading event is this Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the sanctuary. Our sign-ups are full! You can still come and just sit in the sanctuary, and you’ll be blessed by reading, hearing and receiving God’s Holy Word.