We gather tomorrow and recall The Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem as Holy Week began.

The service will be available online after 9 AM. Read Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–44, and John 12:12–19 to prepare.

This week has brought greater strictures to our lives. They are apt to be come greater. These are times for us to be particularly aware of one another and the needs of our church family, extended families, and neighbours. You have opportunities that perhaps need to be sought out, but if you look you will see them.

Two things I hope you hear and learn as we study the Scripture tomorrow morning.

1. The God of Heaven is reigning exactly as He intends. He is on the Throne. He is not in despair. We will see that unfold in our text tomorrow.

2. Remember, your life is a testimony to what you claim you believe. There are people looking on who should see us in calm peace, come what may, because we truly believe in our hope for eternity.

We have talked together since this began about how believers should walk straight into a situation like this to offer quiet service reflecting the kindness of Jesus Christ. A friend drew my attention to E. Stanley Jones this week. He was a Methodist missionary to India in the last century. He died in 1973. Here is his observation about “Times Like These.” “You are to find your finest opportunity for witnessing through these very troubles. In other words, you are not to bear your calamities, you are to use them. You are to turn your trials to a testimony.” That should be our approach during the COVID19 pandemic.

Tom Andersen reminded me last week about how often he has heard the expression “In times like these” in news reports these days. They caused him to remember George Beverly Shea singing the song by that title. Here are its words:

In times like these you need a Savior
In times like these you need an anchor
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

Refrain This Rock is Jesus, Yes He's the One
This Rock is Jesus, the only One
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

In times like these you need the Bible
In times like these, O be not idle
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

In times like these I have a Savior
In times like these I have an anchor
I'm very sure, I'm very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

You and I will reveal what we consider is our “Anchor” these days! Might it be the Living Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ and His Written Word, the Bible.

Next week is Resurrection Sunday! Our gathering will be different, but we will celebrate the fact that we serve a Risen Saviour.

Prepare for that service by reading I Corinthians 15 and be ready to sing with us, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” I’ll post the words next week.

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Remember your responsibility to vote Tuesday (or whenever it happens!). There are judge-ships before us that are critical. The bulletin has links to non-partisan voter guides to help your choice. If you are a good citizen you recognize you have a duty, quite frankly, to vote.

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I want to thank you for your generous giving this past week. Our given exceeded our weekly budget. I thank God for you! Bear in mind that our giving needs continue, even during this pandemic which has not surprised the Good God of Heaven!