A Special Offering Provides Easter Hope
As we celebrated Palm Sunday, we are reminded that “Jesus followers joined the many pilgrims who had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the great feast commemorating God’s deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. On Sunday, crowds lined the streets of Jerusalem as Jesus, mounted on a donkey, made a triumphal entry into the city. For those who knew the Jewish scriptures, this was a much hoped for and welcomed sign. Through this single prophetic action—riding a donkey from the Mt. of Olives into Jerusalem—Jesus announced he was the expected Messiah, come to save Israel, fulfilling the words of the prophet (Zechariah 9:9).” By this simple act of riding a donkey, here was the Hope for which the Jewish people, had been waiting. However, it was not the kind of Hope they were anticipating.
Within a few days, the sign of Hope for the Jews and the followers of Jesus comes to an end as we are reminded of Jesus torture and his death on a cross. For the Jews and Jesus followers, all Hope was gone.
Almost two (2) months ago, as people in Turkey and Syria were retiring for the evening, but, like us, mentally making plans very possibly filled with Hope for the next day. On Monday, February 6, 2023, at 4:17 am a 7.8 magnitude earthquake occurred. Their Hope and plans for this Monday, were shattered. For some their Hope was they were alive and had their family. For others, they asked the question; Was their Hope for the future?
We can say “Yes” because we know Christ is the Hope of the World. We know that three (3) days after Jesus’ death, Mary and Martha met the resurrected living Christ and ran to share the good news of Hope for the future. Likewise in Turkey and Syria, Hope was there as people were found alive two weeks later buried under the rubble.
As Members and Friends of St. Paul’s, I invite you to play a part in providing a financial means of Hope to the people in Turkey and Syria as we give a special Easter Sunday Offering on April 9. This special gift of Hope will go to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) who will distribute our gift through the appropriate channels for the renewing of lives and the rebuilding of communities in Turkey and Syria. As we give, may we remember that…
Jesus Christ is the Hope of the World.
Please make your check and/or electronic gift payable to St. Paul’s UMC and designate your gift for the Easter Offering. Thank You.
Barbara Maxwell, Finance Chair
Susan Robb: Seven Words: Listening to Christ from the Cross.