Looking for the Holy

Mar 31, 2023 | Weekly Word

Sunrise over the Mount of Olives over the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem
(Photo by John Sawyer—2014)

Three of my friends have been to Israel in the past several weeks. I have been following their time there through their Facebook posts. These three friends did not travel together or even know that they would be there at the same time. Two of them knew each other previously and actually ran into each other in Galilee (of all the holy sites in all the world to run into an old friend!). I have had the privilege of visiting Israel twice. I have been overwhelmed by the beauty, history, and people of that Holy and troubled land each time.

The world in which we live is often filled with trouble, but it is also filled with the Holy – God at work in the midst of trouble, working for good and seeking to make things more Holy. One of the tasks of faith is to also seek the Holy in every moment, even when the Holy can be hard to see.

The week that we traditionally call “Holy Week” is almost upon us – the week that falls between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, the week that we remember the loving sacrifice of Jesus, who came into a troubled world, stirred up some Holy trouble, experienced the worst that this troubled world could throw at him, and rose again on Easter – revealing the Holy life-changing, world-shaking resurrecting power of God.

This Holy Week at BPC, you are invited to join us. . .

  • Sunday, April 2 – 10 AM – Palm/Passion Sunday Worship Service – Hear the story of Jesus’ arrival into the city of Jerusalem with music from the BPC Brass Ensemble.
  • Sunday, April 2 – 5 PM – Youth Trivia Night in the Fellowship Hall – Join us for a fun evening of questions and answers and supporting a worthy cause: BPC’s Ageless Wonders Ministry to the older adults in our community.
  • Thursday, April 6 – 7 PM – Maundy Thursday Service – Hear the story of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples and how he took the posture of a servant by washing his disciples’ feet. This service will include the Lord’s Supper and an opportunity to experience foot washing (remembering what Jesus did). The service will also be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook.
  • Friday, April 7 – 12 PM – Walk the Stations of the Cross on Manchester’s West Side – Meet at St. Andrews Episcopal Church at 12 PM for a service of walking (1.4 miles) and prayer. You can find more information HERE.
  • Saturday, April 8 – 10 AM – BPC Easter Egg Hunt for Children and Families – Join us for a time of singing, storytelling, arts and crafts, and – of course – an Easter Egg Hunt! Bring an Easter Basket and flowers for the Flower Cross! Sign up HERE.
  • Sunday, April 9 – 7 AM – Easter Sunrise Service – Hear the story of the resurrection and sing praise to God on the front lawn of the church. Bring a lawn chair, a blanket, and some flowers for the Flower Cross!
  • Sunday, April 9 – 10 AM – Easter Sunday Worship Service – Join us for our traditional Easter Sunday service and hear the story of the resurrection as we sing praise to God in our church sanctuary.

May all of us look for and find the Holy this Holy Week. . .

See you in church!

Grace and Peace,

John

Prepare for Worship

This week: “Where are you headed?” (Wherever Jesus Goes. . .)