Here are the children L to R, A, D and J just before church today.
It was beautiful and sunny but really windy! A, D, J.
This is D, playing the part of Jesus making His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on "Palm Sunday". His SS classmates are waving their palm branches and proclaiming "Hosannah!" The children then sat at the front and Pastor Mike spoke to them. I love when he does this because too often children are just kept in the children's wing and don't interact with the rest of the church or even know the pastor. He is always so gentle and easy with them. After they left he said he thought it was the only time in history when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a pink unicorn! LOL But you use what you have and a real donkey is just not practical!He asked the children if they knew what Hosannah meant and several raised their hands and gave suggestions that were pretty good. Many showed an understanding of this event. D's suggestion was "holy". Pastor told them it means "Lord save us". In the sermon he later explained that it was written in a grammatical form that is a command/demand. These people were demanding that he save them. At this time Jesus was offering spiritual peace and they were seeking political peace. They wanted a King but only one that gave them what they wanted. Later, many of these same people cried "Crucify Him!" and chose Barabbas to be released. This is literally "ancient history" but Pastor Mike tied it in to our modern day. He challenged us to think about what it meant that Jesus was our King. Do we allow Him to be King over all our life or do we pick and choose, telling God how He can be? He ended saying "To accept Jesus as Lord of all one must say: 'I will accept his dreams for me instead of trying to force him into fulfilling mine.'"
Ouch! Sometimes the truth hurts. I know I have been guilty in the past of not allowing Him to be Lord and choosing only certain parts of my life to show and share with Him. Obviously that was not very effective. It certainly was different than other Palm Sunday sermons I heard and it was effective and thought provoking. For me Palm Sunday is a time of jubilation as I enter into a holy week, that to me is the highlight of the church year. Most people focus on Christmas and certainly Christi's birth as a baby is important, but really it is just a part of His story as the crucified, but resurrected King. As Gloria Gaither so aptly writes, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!" While the events of Holy Week are often sobering, I rejoice in the Resurrection which enables me to live and be pardoned and relate to an awesome and Holy God.
The song I chose this week is on my list of all time favorites and is from one of Michael W. Smith's early albums. You can not sit still or be sad when you listen to this song which has so much musical energy as well as meaningful lyrics:
Hosanna
by Michael W. Smith on Michael W. Smith 2 (1984)
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna!
King of Israel
Welcome to our hearts
Here to reign in righteousness
Oh, ruler of the world
Ruler of our hearts
Now ascend your throne
You are the King of Kings
Hosanna!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna!
To Jerusalem
To the sons of man
Riding on in gentle strength
Oh, come the save your own
Come to give your life
The kingdom is at hand
You are the King of Kings
Hosanna!
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna!
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna!
King of Israel
Welcome to our hearts
Here to reign in righteousness
Oh, ruler of the world
Ruler of our hearts
Now ascend your throne
You are the King of Kings
Hosanna!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna!
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna!
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna!
5 comments:
Theresa - I love your posts about hymns. Yesterday hubby and I watched a show on television about the history of some of our greatest hymns. What a challenge to our faith to hear about the incredibly difficult lives of some of the songwriters. And yet they went on to write such wonderful praise. Thanks for the reminder.
Another beautiful post! I also love the picture of your son as Jesus in his triumphal entry. What a neat experience for the kids!
Thank you for your encouraging words on my blog! They mean so much to me!
The kids all look so cute! We have had some difficult sermons lately too, and while they are sometimes uncomfortable, they are what push us to continue to grow! I'm very thankful that in our church kids join in the service for worship at 4 and then have "childrens' church" but start to join in with the rest of the congregation and learn how to interact with everyone. We have a fairly small church, and that helps too!
Love the pink unicorn (my idea). I had forgotton until today the kids did this at church on Palm Sunday. Looks like the congreation is standing, were they asked to or did they just stand up?
Did you take anymore pictures?
BTW-I miss the kids in the service & I think the folks do as well.
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