As we gather back into the sanctuary again, let us encourage the children to be part of the worship, the fellowship, the mission, and the ministry of our church. Children of all ages have much to offer. Learn from them, model for them, and accept them for who they are. Together, we can discover and experience God’s Kingdom on earth.

…in the midst of our greatest moments of service and in the times of our lowest seasons of life, God is there. We are not alone. With God all things are possible.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?

Whether we are in an emergency room or worshipping at Faith Lutheran Church, buying groceries at Fred Meyer or gardening in our backyard, we are “somebodies” whom God loves—scarred, broken, imperfect people—children of God. God wants all of us to be “people lifters”—lifting one another up—affirming each other’s gifts, NOT judging others, or thinking we are better than they are. Paul puts it this way: “Therefore, children of God, be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.”

In the Biblical story of Naaman the leper, we read how Naaman wanted a miraculous, dramatic cure. It took his servants to remind Naaman that God does not necessarily use big, tumultuous means to bring wholeness or newness to his children. Elisha merely said, “Wash, and be clean.” Through those simple words and waters of an insignificant creek, Naaman was made whole.

Isaiah 55 is the picture of God inviting all to a feast where everything is free! Come, God says, come as you are, no limitations to social standing or dress codes! Come with your thirsty throats and empty bellies, weak bodies, broken hearts, and uncertain future.

What does it take for us to realize the very presence of God through Jesus in our daily lives? When we are at our wits end, when we feel the most alone or deserted, Jesus is there. Often, if we open our hearts and minds, we see Jesus in a neighbor who has cleared snow from our driveway, a friend who has called us to check up on us, a friendly cashier at the grocery shopping, a doctor who listens carefully to our concerns, or a stranger who gives a dollar to help pay for a much-needed prescription when the funds have run out. Jesus is with us whether we know it or not. Praise God for that!

Read the Easter story found in Mark 16. Then consider the “What if?”

· The women had decided to skip the anointing because of its interference with Sabbath, had said, “It’s too late now” on that Sunday morning, and never showed up?

· God had not “so loved the world that he gave his only Son?”

· We do not tell the story or live as though it’s true but simply dismiss it as unimportant?

· We had never heard the story? Never knew resurrection? Never had resurrection hope?

WHAT IF? What we must decide today is, NOW WHAT?

My most memorable Palm Sunday celebrations come from living in Liberia, Africa. On Palm Sunday morning, a nucleus of singers and church leaders gathered at Phoebe Hospital with drums and long palm branches.

We, as God’s church or as God’s people, can expect no less. It is so easy to look at others’ faults, the places where we disagree, and then judge them, puffing ourselves up and putting them down. These difficult and trying times can be minimized or resolved if we “Keep our eyes on the donut and not on the hole!”