Weekly Greeting - March 29, 2024
Dear Bethlehem Family,
It is Holy Week. Lent is coming to a close. Throughout this week, we will be offered opportunities to remember Jesus’ last week on earth. You can read about them in this newsletter and on our church website.
I find it helpful to reflect on the words of St. Paul as I prepare for the days ahead. I especially find Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of Philippians 2:5-8 meaningful and inspiring.
Think of yourselves the way Christ thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantage of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death — and the worst kind of death at that — a crucifixion. Philippians 2:5-8 The Message
Jesus came to serve. He came willing even to die for us. As I begin my renewal leave soon, I look forward to reflecting on Jesus’ example of a life that brings healing and life to others.
I am grateful for time away so that I might return ready to serve as your pastor in the spirit of Jesus who was raised from the dead and calls us to look beyond our own strength to the grace offered to us all.
Blessings,
Craig