The View from the Pulpit:
Dear Fellow Lenten Sojourners at Resurrection Lutheran Church & School,
“SOMEHOW to Attain to the Resurrection from the Dead?”
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so,
SOMEHOW, TO ATTAIN TO THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEATH.” [Phil. 3:10]
Paul knew the way, surely. So what is with this “SOMEHOW”? He knew that he was called by Christ to take up his cross and follow the One who went the way of the cross, and who rose again on the third day. Surely he knew that!
Yet, he didn’t know under what circumstances he would die. He didn’t know when his life’s journey would be ended, and when he would pass from this world into eternity. He knew who would take him there: his Lord Jesus Christ! He knew where his Lord would take him: “I have a desire to depart and be with Christ.” He knew the victory that would overcome this world: his faith. He did not know when this victory would take place. He trusted this: SOMEHOW he was going to make it; SOMEHOW he was going to endure his tribulations and crosses; SOMEHOW he was going to attain that final destiny: his own resurrection from the dead.
Little do we know of what lies in our Christian lives. What crosses are there for us to bear? What tribulations and afflictions lie ahead in this life? How many more days, months, years, decades do we have on this earth before we die in the faith, to await that glorious resurrection from the dead?
It makes no difference, really! SOMEHOW we are going to make it. SOMEHOW we are going to endure. SOMEHOW we will, in Christ, attain the resurrection from the dead!
Holy Week and Easter have everything to do with that “SOMEHOW.” Have a great Holy Week and Easter Season! It is the secret to “SOMEHOW attaining the resurrection from the dead.”
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
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DO YOU ‘W-I-I’?
This old game system was at one time the rage all over the country – and is still in use in many retirement homes as a way of offering exercise offered by the WII Systems. At Resurrection, we also WII – but in a different way!
W-I-I?? (pronounced “WE”)
Welcome!
A magic word, accompanied by a handshake and a genuine smile that can make or break someone’s first impression of our congregation. Partner with the Sunday Greeters in Resurrection’s version of the “Sunday Morning WII”
Invite!
Invite our guests to the Fellowship Hour, and stay with them so that they do NOT stand alone wondering what to do next. Share a cup of coffee with them, chat with them! Invite them to the Sunday Education Hour, and show them where the Sunday School Headquarters are located if they have children
Introduce!
ALWAYS introduce our guests to other members and have them engage our guests in conversation. Be sure to invite them back to Resurrection!
At Resurrection, we W-I-I: WELCOME – INVITE – INTRODUCE our guests because we want them to know the LOVE of Jesus the Savior! At Easter, we will have many church guests – so be sure to W-I-I!
Your Fellow Servant, in Christ Jesus Our Lord! Pastor Hank Hollar