Holy week is fast upon us. This Lent has been a wonderful and contemplative time to seek out God’s presence in our lives. Soup suppers have been a big hit with all those in attendance….and worship has been short and meditative during the mid-week Worship time. Hope you have enjoyed the season as much as I have.For the second month in a row, the band has played at one service on Sunday mornings. That seems to be going very well! We thank God for the renewed life that the band gives to the congregation, while at the same time, we worship at one service each Sunday keeping our Lutheran Liturgical heritage in mind.As April gets under way, we look directly to the Lord of all hopefulness, who is quickly moving toward Jerusalem and the last days of his life here on earth. We await the certain life that is released from the darkened tomb on Easter Sunday. In preparation for this huge life giving event, we will process with Palms this year, at both Services on April 5^th……and we process, not just around the church, but around the cemetery. Plan on arriving a few minutes early, so we can all process together. It will be fun!Holy week services are some of my favorites. Maundy Thursday, (April 9), we invite you to a Seder Meal for the second year in a row. We will get to taste a little matza , roasted lamb, bitter herbs, and haroset, as we journey together through the Passover meal and on to Holy Communion as the Lord Jesus instituted at the Last Supper, before journeying to the cross on the Friday we call Good. The weather was not real great last year, so we want to again bring the “Sounds of Good Friday” in to the Sanctuary and hear the entrance to Christ’s tomb sealed shut after the mocking and humiliation and suffering. Saturday….Holy Saturday is kind of between a rock and a hard place in our lives. We know Jesus has died, and yet we wait, anxiously perhaps, for the trumpets to sound, and for Christ to rise from the tomb.On Saturday, we get a special treat, that we have not had for a while here at Norway Grove. The Easter Prayer Vigil is being organized for all who are interested to come and pray at church during this solemn time when we await the rebirth of our Savior into the world. We will have prayerful music, prayer suggestions, and a contemplative atmosphere to round out the Greatest Season of the Church year, Holy Week. Thanks to Veronica Eicher, and her motivation from attending Lay School for this pray venture for Norway Grove.Each year, we get to start out fresh again when the stone of the tomb is rolled away! Each year we get to sound the Alleluias, that Christ is Risen, Christ is risen indeed! I can hardly wait. Hope you can make it to more Holy week services than you have ever been to before!!

Thanks be to God. Pastor Kathy

Forgive one another. Not always an easy task to admit a mistake, or to let go a wrong that someone has done to us. Our human pride is often at stake. God, why do I have to be the one to forgive when someone has hurt me? On our own, forgiveness does not make a lot of sense sometimes. Relating to one another in Christ sometimes means that we turn our cares and concerns, hurts and discontent over to Jesus for healing and new life that comes from being willing to “let go and let God”. Give forgiveness to others and forgiveness will be given to you.  “Give and it will be given to you.”  Luke 6:38Freely participate in the Body of Christ according to our gifts and talents. God has given everyone gifts and talents to share. In the past, many churches have operated out of a strong sense of duty and doing what needs to be done, whether it was a gift of yours, or not. Being overly committed was looked upon as a good and generous way to serve God.There has been a shift in thinking that we may need to catch up with. If we are overly committed to something, that lessens the opportunities others have to also be involved. Team work and a broad base of support is a very good thing. Depth in the congregation, with many people sharing a gift or two, grows the congregation and doesn’t over burden anyone.

Here is the challenge: Identify your gifts and what you want to participate in most. Give it a try. Feel free to express your God given talents with others. Do not feel guilty about not doing too much. You are just leaving room for others to step forward and share their gifts, too.  “Freely you have received, freely give.”  Matthew 10:8