April 11, 2025
Dear Friends,
Palm Sunday is a time in which the Christian Church celebrates Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem as Messiah and King. It is a Sunday which it is sometimes difficult to know what to feel. On the one hand we sing in praise because of the grace and hope that we experience in Jesus Christ and yet on the other hand we know that Jesus rides to Jerusalem, eventually to endure an agonizing crucifixion and death. It is a paradoxical victory. Jesus has come to save us from the power of sin and death through his own death. An author and writer by the name of Frederick Buechner has called it the “Magnificent Defeat”. In Luke’s gospel Jesus is very much aware of why he is riding a humble donkey into Jerusalem. He encourages his disciples and the crowds to celebrate him as “The one who comes in the name of the Lord” to fulfill a prophecy of Zechariah. Yet he also weeps. Not for himself but for Jerusalem and for a broken world. He knows that many are spiritually distracted and looking to find peace, and yet will not recognize who he is and why is has come. Jesus saves. Jesus brings peace. Jesus comes as King riding a humble donkey but will we embrace the paradox and the mystery of his death? Perhaps how we respond does matter and for this reason we too can praise him with our Hosanna’s. So please join me in a message entitled “Tears And Triumph”.
This week I have been able to visit and connect with several of our faithful members who cannot come to our in-person worship services however join when they can on-line. I was encouraged in my conversations with Margaret Mills and Leonie Graham. These two women continue to pray for our congregation and also for me. As I retire in a few months it is so good to share in these wise conversations and prayers with those who have been such a support to our GPC congregation. It was also a reminder to me that Jesus remains the great shepherd of the flock and our lives.
Glenbrook’s Good Friday Service will start at 11 am and our Easter Sunday Service at 10 am. Our GPC Celebration Choir will share in the ministry of praise for both services. Our thanks to Graciela and the committed choir members who will help lead in these services.
The Session has approved a project to improve the lighting at the front of the sanctuary and in particular over the platform. Century Audio and Visual will be the company who will install a lighting system which will benefit our worship teams and celebration choir. The cost is $18.500.00 and we will cover the cost through our “Sanctuary Contingency Fund”. If there are those who would like to give towards this project please consider doing so and designate your givings to go to “Sanctuary Contingency Fund”.
Blessings
Pastor Ian
