Journeys of Faith
Dear Church Family, Friends and Guests,
As we journey in Easter Week to the betrayal of Jesus on Thursday, the crucifixion Friday, Jesus' quiet Sabbath rest in death, and marvel with great joy in the remembrance of Resurrection Sunday, we come upon an oddity in the Lenten cycle. This week, the annunciation of the Lord is presented as a celebration, the 9-month marker before Christmas, the supposed time Mary conceived. This is a mini-Christmas in anticipation of the celebration to come in the Advent calendar of the birth of Jesus. So while Lent is usually somber, this week marks a mini-feast/celebration. The advent of our God is in process, in utero. The fulfiller of prophecy, of covenant, of promise, of the hopes of the people of God, Jesus is the one in whom the faith of all who have anticipated walk. God is to be with us, among us, one of us.
So in my view, the Chapter of the Faithful in Hebrews has special and particular meaning as Jacob receives Esau's blessing from Isaac, and Ephraim receives Manassah's blessing—all by faith, according to Hebrews 11. Promises and covenants, journeys, struggles, trials and sufferings. Our spiritual and genetic ancestors went through untold experiences, trials, challenges, pains, and difficulties. By faith, they kept moving toward a greater promise. We have behind each of us a "great cloud of witnesses." The call to each of us is to be faithful, trusting that there will be blessings to pass on to future generations who by God's grace will also know of the incarnate, crucified, and risen Lord.
Thank you for being with us! We look forward to getting to know you if possible. And of course, if you have questions or requests, please let us know. We worship today in Spirit and in Truth, grateful for each other and this journey of faith!
Grace and Peace,
Pr Greg
Hebrews 11:21-31
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.