Church is in the service business. We are here, not to judge, but to serve. How do we know this? Thursday night, we'll see the various people Jesus encountered on his way to the cross, in their moments of poor judgment, greed, anger, envy, self-centeredness, expediency and fear. The disciples posted to stand guard while Jesus prayed opted to doze off for a bit. Judas sold out his friend for a few coins. Today they'd be worth anywhere from $90 to $3,000. Would either be a good price for betrayal? Peter drew his sword - not even against a Roman Centurion - but against a slave. Was it jealousy or fear that motivated the chief priests to turn one of their own over to the Romans? And Pilate? To maintain order, he was perfectly fine with sending an innocent man to torture and death. Whatever it takes to hold onto power - that was Pilate's priority. Even Jesus himself had his moment of desperate fear - was there no other way? Not by that point.

Yet, when the weekend was over, by God's power, there would be forgiveness and grace. What had looked like a bitter ending turned out to be a prelude to glory. Jesus would rise above it all and promise his followers that they, too, would rise above their weakness and fear.

We pick up where they left off. We, too, can rise above our own moments and habits of judgment and doubt and fear, envy and greed, expediency and poor judgment. But first, we must find our own way to the cross. There, we will find, that we are not called to judge either ourselves or others for their failings, but to bring them - and ourselves - closer to Christ through words and deeds of Christian service.

Join us for a special Tenebrae service this Maundy Thursday, April 17th at 7:00 PM in the First Congregational Church of South Windsor sanctuary as we continue the story.

All are welcome.

First Congregational Church of South Windsor
993 Main Street, South Windsor, CT 06074 USA
www.firstchurchsw.org

Wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!