Sandown’s resident historian Arlene Bassett shared a great story with me last week about a pastor from the geriatric set who was preaching one Sunday at St. Matthews. It seems that in the middle of his sermon, he paused, looked at the congregation and said, "can anyone tell me what I was talking about?" Sure sounds like something that I might do!
In reality, he obviously had lost his train of thought, something that many of us can relate to. That can happen not only when we’re speaking but when we’re listening and let our minds wander, which happens all too often today in the busy culture in which we live.
Setting the obvious humorous element aside, there are so many lessons that we can learn from that story. The one that I was convicted to as we celebrate Holy Week – the most important week in the history of the world -- is let us not lose focus. Let us not become so busy with “stuff” that we miss the critical significance of Easter, Jesus’s victory over death and His resurrection, symbolizing eternal life for all those who believe in Him.
The true meaning of Easter also teaches us the absolute authentication of all that Jesus preached and said during His three-year ministry -- that He would be crucified and resurrected three days later. Everything that Jesus said happened precisely as He told us it would. Because His words are true and factual, it is verification without equivocation that He is not just another teacher or another Rabbi, He really is the Son of God, our Lord, our Savior.
Easter Sunday is traditionally one of the most well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christians churches. It is also one of the best times that folks are receptive to our invitations to join us. I trust we all know people that desperately need the love of Christ in their lives. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without our Lord! Let us not get so busy that we fail to offer that life-changing gift to others.
I would also remind us of the three powerful services we have this week leading up to Easter Sunday:
Maundy Thursday Service at 6:30 at St. Matts
Good Friday Service at 7 p.m. in Amesbury
Holy Saturday Service at 5 p.m. in Plaistow
A Note About Parking
One of the great “problems” we have at St. Matthews is parking. On many Sunday mornings it is difficult, if not impossible, to find a parking space in our lot. Respectfully it reminds me a little about the birth of Christ where there was “no room for Him” in the Inn.
This Sunday we’re obviously expecting a large number of guests. It would be tragic if there was “no room for them” in our parking lot which simply leads to my plea that if you are able and don’t mind walking a couple extra steps, there is parking also available at the Sandown Town Hall, the Sandown Food Pantry and across the street in our own parking lot. We also have permission to use the Bruchetti's parking lot across the street but only until 11 a.m.
It would be tragic if a visitor, or one of our members that needs parking closer to the church, could not find a parking space and left. Thanks for your continued understanding and help. You are an awesome church family.
See you this week as we celebrate Holy Week together.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Frank
Frank@StMattUMC.org