Willmar Church of the Nazarene

Good morning, once again from the confines of my office, to you as you do your best at obeying the stay- at-home order. How are you doing in this challenging time? Sunday afternoon, Cynthia and I delivered lilies to several of you, and it was good to see and talk with you for those short minutes! I continue to hear how you are blessing each other with cards, letters, and phone calls!! Keep it up! If you have a computer or smart phone, connect with Mandy and have her send you the link to her family’s Easter greeting!
I must admit I dislike aspects of the no-contact, stay away from, stay home world that we are living in. Going through the drive-up at Culver’s is nice, but going inside is better; McMillan’s Easter dinner was okay, but again going inside would have been better for me. Have you snuck out and connected with a friend or family member? Does it take you back to your teen years of sneaking out…? I hope you have been careful in your coming and going!
I am excited and greatly anticipating the Sunday we get to worship together! All of your smiles and love for each other seen and heard in the foyer, classrooms and sanctuary and kitchen! There have been days while sitting my office, I hear a car door slam, or even footsteps, and I get up expecting to see someone, but no… it was just the wind blowing the front door open or the wind rippling the sheet metal roof.
I miss the Thursday evening emails from Roger giving me the list of songs we will sing together on Sunday, or Carol’s emails letting me know what God has given her to play for the offertory! But I am blessed to have lunch with K.H., staying 72” apart, most of the time, and coffee delivered every Friday by R.G.!
Be encouraged today!
Take your Bible and read these words of encouragement from God:
Psalm 10:17; I Thessalonians 5:23; II Thessalonians 2:16-17; Hebrews 6:10; I Peter 2:9.

You are loved!
Pastor

Perhaps you have seen a video online of a flash mob singing and/or dancing in a very public place. I will admit that some can be very emotionally moving, especially the ones where the groups sing songs of praise to God! These events are planned out with every detail covered and practiced. I like to watch the reactions of the people who are not a part of the mob. The expressions on their faces are priceless, some are even moved to sing along, while still others will be moved to tears. I will often find myself in that last group, even as I watch a video that was recorded days or months earlier!
Palm Sunday is a real life event that was not planned nor was it practiced! It was truly spontanious! The Triumpal Entry to Jerusalem is recorded for us in the four Gospels. Matthew says a “very large crowd” was present, Mark simply says ‘many people”, Luke describes it with a little more detail when he says “a large crowd of disciples” were there, and John says it was a “large crowd”. None of the Gospel writers tell us what was the trigger that started the celebration… and we probably don’t need to know the answer to that question. What we do know is that a large crowd of people, many were Jesus’ disciples, moved by an unknown power (the Holy Spirit) began the worship session, and the energy of the crowd grew to the point that all of Jerusalem was shaken! This Sunday we will not be able to worship together, but that must not stop us from worshiping Jesus as our Lord! Let us be so bold in our declaration of Jesus, as Lord, that we shake the towns we call home!