This Weekend Begins the Climb.

Lent has (by grace, through fasting) loosed us from the distraction of good things that can delay us on our journey and has dislodged some things (by grace, through repentance) that so often entangle us as we walk. And so, we journey this week with Jesus, retracing the steps of his final days and hours with a clearer mind and sharper focus, waiting to see again, as for the first time, the marvel of His Holy Week.

God's children have climbed before. Pilgrims to Jerusalem would ascend to the city for the feast of Passover, returning to the capital city in a centripetal motion to celebrate the Exodus deliverance with all of Israel together; renewing their faith through memory and feasting for the days ahead of hoping and praying that their new Exodus would soon arrive.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus climbs with them. He approaches Jerusalem among the crowds of other pilgrims, not for the first time, and not for the final time, but for the pivotal time.

This weekend, we travel with him.

There are many ways that you may enter the joys and sorrows of Holy Week this week.

The best ones are those that let you enter this holy week in the company of fellow pilgrims. These events pull us together as we focus singly upon Jesus and his accomplishments for His people.

Today at 11:00, we held our Early Easter Egg Hunt and Picnic on the church grounds. The young and the old enjoyed sunshine, food and fellowship while Nancy Plum regaled everyone with the story of Benjamin's Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs.  Thank you to all who made the outreach possible.  There is still a lot of activities available.

On Sunday, worship with your fellow pilgrims at 8 or 10 am as we hear Holy Week's summary from the Triumphal Entry to the Passion Gospel of Jesus' Crucifixion.

Walk the Stations of the Cross on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday at 5:30 pm in the Sanctuary.

On Maundy Thursday, celebrate the inauguration of Holy Communion and the community of the New Covenant at 7:00pm with worship and the opportunity to share in the ancient custom of Foot Washing.

On Good Friday, join us at noon for the Solemn Collects in a said service and at 7:00 pm come for "Witness to the Passion" a dramatic and musical presentation of the Lord's last days and hours.  Invite friends and neighbors.

On Holy Saturday, anticipate the joy of Easter by blessing the neighbors of Torcaso Park with a surprise Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30am. DETAILS HERE.

Easter Sunday morning, Meet us at Sunrise for the Winter Springs Community Sunrise Service at 7:00 am at Central East Winds Park, Winter Springs, FL. Join with other disciples in Winter Springs as churches in our area share the good news of Jesus' resurrection with our neighbors.

Worship here with us at 8 and 10 am. Bring your guests, relatives, and neighbors to hear the central message of our faith. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

There are many ways that you may go out from Holy Week renewed through memory, feasting and praying for the hope of this good news reaching places not yet aware of the joys of Easter.

Alpha Leadership Training began last week, but it is not too late to jump in. Help create a safe environment where people new to faith or long-past faith can hear and investigate the good news of Jesus. You can see me about this training.

Pray for our plans to host Alpha at the Oviedo YMCA and in our neighborhood to come together, and for people to respond to the invitations to attend.

Pray for the people who might attend the Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt, Sunrise Service, our services and the services of other Christian churches this week to hear clearly the ringing good news of Jesus, and for their hearts to turn towards Him.

Pray for the upcoming consecration of Father Carl on May 2nd. More information will be coming next week about how to join in this important event.

This weekend begins the climb. The way forward is by grace through faith in the one who walks with us.

See you Sunday,

Christopher+