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A little fun before our bi-weekly Game Night-Friends, games, community-what could be more natural.

Blessed are You, God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

https://youtu.be/n2g95SFd2yk

This week i’ve been thinking about Holy Saturday. It is the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Most of us rush right past this day without giving it much thought. It is the day mentioned in Ephesians 4:9&10 and the Apostles Creed which acknowledges that on that day, Jesus descended into Hell itself and led those held captive awaiting the fulfillment of Jesus atoning sacrifice.

Ephesians 4

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it^[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”^[b]

⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]?¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 

The Apostles Creed-In Part

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
      and born of the virgin Mary.
      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
      was crucified, died, and was buried;
      he descended to hell.
      The third day he rose again from the dead.
      He ascended to heaven
      and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
      From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

This day tells me two things. First, there is no distance Jesus won’t go to redeem his beloved; and second, that Jesus is Lord everywhere. Satan can be prince of the power of darkness, but he can never be Lord anywhere.

Almighty God, we pray you graciously behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.  Amen.

Dear People of God: Our heavenly Father sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved; that all who believe in him might be delivered from the power of sin and death, and become heirs with him of everlasting life.

We pray, therefore, for people everywhere according to their needs.  Amen.

^“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”^[e] When he had said this, he breathed his last.”

Luke 23:44-46

But the dawn awaits.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colosians 3:12

Since the beginning of the year we have been impressed to touch the lives of those we come in contact through normal everyday life without any expectation of a return. As a matter of practice any member of our congregation can bring forward a recommendation each month for consideration. The recipient will never be contacted by the church except by the person making the recommendation. We do this without expectations of any kind.

Lent is a season of radical discipleship