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CONGREGATIONAL LETTER #52

DEATH & RESURRECTION!

March 31, 2021

          “It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of The Temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit!’ And having said this, He breathed His last.” – Luke 23:44-46

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           “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from The Tomb. But when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen!’” – Luke 24:1-6a

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My Dear Bethesda Church Family & Friends, Brothers & Sisters in Christ: a Good Friday and a Happy Easter Week to you and yours!

The single coin, the only currency of the Christian realm is the double-printed coin of the Death of Jesus Christ on The Cross for the sins of the whole world on the one side and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ for the justification of God’s people before the One, True, Living, Holy, and Righteous God on the other.

This weekend – first, on Good Friday, April 2nd, and then, on Easter Sunday, April 4th – we will contemplate, together, what God-in-Christ-Jesus did for us in His Death on The Cross, and we’ll celebrate the power of what God-in-Christ-Jesus did for us in His Resurrection from the dead. I hope you, your loved ones, and others from among our relationships will join us, this Friday and this Sunday at 10AM, either in person or via our livestream.

The events we contemplate and celebrate this weekend mark the pivotal moment in human history – indeed, in the history of the world. Yes, The Death of Jesus Christ on The Cross and The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from The Grave are the key events of the Christian faith enabling us to live the Christian life, even though we die! We are reminded in the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ of God’s love for us and His willingness to prove it. But they also constitute the pivot point of history, between the consequences and effects of The Fall and the beginning and fulfillment of God’s Redemptive action to restore His Creation.

As we go through our week, this week, let’s do so with a bit more deliberation, a bit more contemplation, and a bit more gratitude than usual in the knowledge – in the present awareness – of God’s love for us and the lengths to which He has already gone to demonstrate it, to express it, and to prove it – once, and for all, and for all time.

May the love of God-in-Christ-Jesus bless you, all, and give you joy, peace, and hope everlasting!

Pastor Mark

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