Preparing Our Hearts for Holy Week

Welcome to another week!

April 13 is Palm Sunday. I hope you will attend church in one of the Atlantic community’s churches. Fallowfield United Methodist, Atlantic Community, Adamsville Presbyterian, and Kennard United Methodist churches are warm, welcoming congregations.

I have attended all these churches at some point. Fallowfield United Methodist is my home church. Atlantic Community opened its doors to our congregation after the tornado in 1985. We held church and Sunday school there until early 1987. Adamsville Presbyterian was my late grandmother’s church. Kennard United Methodist is Fallowfield’s sister church. Each congregation offers a chance for you to draw closer to Jesus and to meet people who will become like family.

I marvel at people who go through rough times without the support of fellow Christians. I am even more surprised by people who go through tough times without Jesus. A song by the group Avalon says “I couldn’t face my life tomorrow without your hope in my heart, I know. I can’t live a day without you.”

Can I hear an “Amen?”

Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week. We remember Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem. He spent the night in Bethany and cast the money changers and sellers and buyers of animals out of the temple on Monday.

I’ve often wondered how I would have reacted to Jesus if I’d lived in his lifetime. Would I have believed? Would I have doubted? Would I have shouted “Hosanna!” or “Crucify Him!”?

I don’t know. I’m glad I didn’t live then.

We live in the age of grace, when the Holy Spirit is freely given to all those who believe on Christ. This gift wasn’t available before Jesus’ death and resurrection. Only a few people received the Holy Spirit in Old Testament times. Saul, David, and Bezaleel received God’s spirit. God removed his spirit from Saul because he disobeyed him. We cannot lose God’s spirit now unless we blaspheme the Holy Spirit, or claim the work of God is done by the power of Satan. See Matthew 12:22-32 for more information on this topic.

Pastor Dave Bell will lead Lenten worship services at Fallowfield United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. on April 9 and 16. He is acting out a series of skits focusing on artisans whose wares played a role in Jesus’ crucifixion.

Calvary United Methodist Church of Greenville is hosting a Lenten Luncheon Wednesday, April 9. Lynnette Mossman will provide - See Atlantic page 16

Atlantic

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entertainment and North Salem United Methodist Women will host the luncheon. The speaker is the Reverend John Canon of Jerusalem Christian Church.

Kennard United Methodist Church is hosting its monthly breakfast at 8 a.m. on April 12. Please join them for a hot, home cooked breakfast.

Have a wonderful week. Blessings!