Tuesday Tidings, April 8, 2025

Dearest Members of Bethlehem,

“The next day, the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him…” -John 12:12-13a

There will be an interesting confluence of activity at Bethlehem Lutheran in Glenshaw next Monday evening, April 7th.

Downstairs in the fellowship hall members of the congregation will be feeding folks from the neighborhood at the first Monday community meal.

Upstairs, another group of members will be crafting palm crosses to be distributed through the week as well as at our Passion/Palm Sunday worship services. And truth be told, we will probably fit a couple of other things in on the 7th as well.

Nonetheless, the reason I celebrate the fullness of this evening is because God’s creative power will be at work in meaningful ways among our people.

Even more particularly, members of the congregation will be tending to both the physical and spiritual needs of the community all at the same time.

As you sit down to a wonderful meal, you will hopefully be blessed with a full belly. As you receive the palm cross on Sunday, you will hopefully be blessed with a full heart.

In both instances, the faithful of God, those actively living out their baptismal vocations will be living witnesses to what these Lenten and Easter seasons are all about. In the dishes served and the palm crosses folded we will actively be demonstrating what God’s love looks like in real time.

And that of course means that in a powerful way, we’ll all be able to see Christ’s triumphal entry into our lives once again in the humble but meaningful moments of our life together.

Question for reflection: Where do you place your palms and palm crosses when you get home from worship and why?

This week at Bethlehem:

On Wednesday evening our mid-week Lenten dinner will begin at 6:00 and worship will begin ay 7:15.

On Thursday the “Stained Glass and Other Crafts” group will meet at 10:00.

On Saturday evening spoken word service with Holy Communion will begin at 6:00.

On Sunday morning we will offer worship services at 8:00 and 10:30 with Sunday School in between at 9:15. Youth Group activities will begin at 6:30.

Have a glorious week!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Dan

God of peace, continue to prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of Easter. As we draw nearer to that great and glorious day, fill our hearts with a deeper enthusiasm for and appreciation of your redemptive work in the world. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.