Maundy comes from ‘mandatum novum’ the Latin for commandment.  The three themes that typically mark a Maundy Thursday remembrance are: The events in the Upper room, where Jesus celebrates the last Passover with His disciples, and institutes the Lord’s Supper in his name; The washing of the disciples’’ feet; and Jesus’ new command to his disciples to love one another.  The commandment reference originates in Jesus’ words to his disciples in John 13, where after the Passover he says “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you.”? Last Sunday in addition to considering the story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem we also looked at these three main ‘maundy’ themes.  Let me encourage you to look at the story again tonight and take time to be thankful for Christ’s servant expression of love and grace.  Remember tonight that He has commanded us to remember.

Good Friday has a rich tradition in the church and is a time of remembering the crucifixion and death of Christ. While it is often observed that, “it seems strange to refer to such a tragic event as good,” we must never forget that this day and event is a remembrance of not just a good thing, but a best thing.  Were it not for the death of Jesus, fulfilling the promises of God since the garden, we would be hopeless and lost.  Christ’s willingly giving His life as our substitute and paying our debt for sin is indeed a glorious reality.  Without His death, we have no life.  I want to suggest that you take time tomorrow to remember the scandalous glory of Christ’s death. Say thank you to Him. Rejoice that your debt has been paid and that, in Christ, you are no an object of wrath, but a display of God’s glory.

Even without the traditional services we are a people called to worship. So, take time by yourself, with your family or even a small gathering of friends to celebrate together the sadness and joy of these special days and events.  Then, having prepared your heart, come join us Sunday at 6pm as we celebrate the rescue or redemption of Resurrection Day! Christ is risen, He is risen indeed.

Below is an invitation to a special event coming this Saturday night here in Louisville.  I have been blessed with the opportunity to speak and would appreciate your prayers.

We also need some help before and during the event.  So, if you can give some time in the next couple of days, or if you can commit to help at the event, please let me know as soon as possible.

blessings,

Todd

Time of fellowship with the Haitian community in Louisville

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts  us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with  which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Cor. 1:3-4)

What: Time of worship, prayer, and fellowship with Haitian Bethel Church, Haitian Tabernacle, Antioch Church, Sojourn Community Church, and other members of the Haitian community in  Louisville. This will be a time to pray for, encourage, bless and comfort those who are grieving  over the loss of family members and friends in the recent earthquake.
Why: To express to the Louisville Haitian community that they are not forgotten during these days as so many of  them grieve from afar unable to help their own families, their own people.  Not only do we have the opportunity to  serve those in the  Haitian community who follow Christ, but also those who do not know Christ and who are grieving  without the hope that we as Christ-followers have.
When: Saturday, January 30th,  6-8 p.m. (Dinner wil be Pot-luck style; Please bring an entrée, appetizer, or desert that can feed at least one family).
Where: Bethlehem Baptist Church, 5708 Preston Highway, Louisville 40219

For more on this follow the links below:

Churches Helping Churches

Mars Hill Church

Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.

“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

I hope that you will check it out as we build from here.