Mark 14:12-26

Mark 14:11-26 NIV
Recently, we participated in a rarity at our congregation: a Memorial Service that included the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Not that Memorial Services are rare; but, receiving the Sacrament at one is. It was such a relief for me, to see so many whom I have not seen in a very long time, receive this gift from God. My hope is that they are worshipping God with another congregation. But, I am pretty sure most are not. For some reason, gathering together with the community of Saints, today, is an option.

For Jesus it was not. He traveled (on foot and a bit on the back of a donkey) to participate in the Passover in Jerusalem. As he broke the bread and poured the wine at His last supper, he prayed a prayer of thanksgiving. When they were finished with the meal, they sang a hymn and then went out to the Mount of Olives where he would be betrayed by his friend and handed over to be crucified.

Even as He faced His own death for the sake of His friends and followers, He gathered with them to worship and give thanks to God. May God grant us hearts that would desire to gather together as a community of Saints to remember, to celebrate, and to give thanks for our God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 92 - Sing Praises All Day Long

These psalms just seem to run together.  One enhancing what was said the day before and will be said tomorrow.  So "ditto" yesterday's blog...

So, give thanks to the LORD for He is good.  He blesses those love Him. He makes us glad by the works of His hands.  We praise Him morning, noon, and night.  I use to sing God's praises a lot.  It didn't matter where I was.  If I felt like singing a hymn, I sang. But, not everyone appreciates my singing, so now it sounds more like I'm mumbling under my breath. I'm thinking it's probably foolish of me to let what others think of my singing, stop me from singing.  It is time to start singing, again.  I do not care who smiles at me like I'm someone to be pitied.  I do not care who thinks I'm embarrassing myself or them.  The LORD is good and it is good for us to proclaim His love in the morning and His faithfulness at night! There is never a time that we cannot sing His praises.

Let the wicked shake their heads in dismay at those who praise the LORD.  They will perish in their lack of understanding. But, let all God's people praise Him and declare His glorious deeds!

God's Peace - Pr. J 

P.S. It is Sunday morning.  See you all at Worship where we can sing His praises together!

Psalm 40 - Praise and Thanksgiving

Today is the National Day of Thanksgiving.  We give thanks to our God who has lifted us out of the muck and mire, set our feet on a rock.  He has put a new song in our mouths, a hymn of praise, a hymn of thanksgiving. 

It is still early and I have already heard of God's wonderful works God has done for a couple of friends.  He is truly marvelous.  Later this morning, we will give thanks for God bringing together two people in Holy Matrimony as they are married on this Thanksgiving Day.  Neither of them will ever forget their anniversary and this Thanksgiving Day.  May they always give thanks that God has brought them together.  And, of course there will be the turkey and fixings to enjoy that my husband is fixing for our residents and family.  So much to give thanks for - each and every day.  Look around you. God is good.  He is very, very, very good!

May the LORD, help us to always proclaim the wonders that He has done.  They are too numerous to ever be able to share them all with others, so many that we should never lack for words of praise and thanksgiving for all that He has done.

May the peace of the LORD be with you this Thanksgiving day as well as every day.  Pr. J