Friday, March 6, 2026

Good Friday Morning, Friends!

Today's scripture reading takes us to Luke's Gospel account...

    "Don't begin until you count the cost... You cannot become my disciple
        without giving up everything you own."   (Luke 14: 28,33 NLT)

Jesus wasn't the first teacher to tell people to give up their wealth, to live simply, with minimal material desires or obligations. But His reasons were different: to gain everything that truly matters, you must give up the world's view of success. Roman oppression eventually ended, but God's kingdom never will. Choose wisely.
   
That's what it means to take up your cross (Luke 14:27). Suffering will pay dividends in God's calculations. What will you undergo to follow Him? Humiliation? Pain? Everything Jesus endured was to purchase eternal life for you. He is your reward --- worth everything you go through.
   
You are Christ's project, to build as He pleases. You are His soldier, to send wherever He deems necessary. Search your heart today and make a reckoning: give up whatever is between you and the one who loves you best.  
   
Jesus isn't calling you to health and wealth, but to glory. Identify with His choice: to leave the splendor or heaven and suffer as a man, so that He could end eternal suffering. We're already hurting in this life, this broken world. Trusting Jesus, we can face it with courage, knowing He is redeeming all things.

         Lord, show me anything in my heart that is keeping me from knowing You better.  Nothing this world offers is worth more than you are. Amen.

+++ We worship at 8:30am and 10:00am this week, the 3rd Sunday of Lent. Our gospel lesson will show us Peter's attempt to walk across the water to join Jesus in the boat. My message is "Dying to Doubt, Living by Faith".  n what ways are you praying "Lord, save me!" each day? Join us in person or on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am for our "live stream" or the church's YouTube channel once worship is completed. We'll sing some great hymns of our faith, and I pray you will find a nugget or two to get you through the week in our worship time.  

+++ Make sure you TURN YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD one hour on Saturday night or you'll be an hour late for worship on Sunday morning! Daylight Savings Time is here friends!  Spring is coming!  

+++ After worship we will gather for our Second Sunday Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. Hopefully you have signed up and are planning on joining the fun.

+++ Our SPRC meets on Tuesday night, March 10th at 6:00pm in the Fireside Room and then the Administrative Council meeting follows at 6:45pm. 
 
+++ You are invited to join our Lenten Bible Study group meeting on Monday's at 12:00noon in the Fireside Room. Just bring a lunch and we'll enjoy a delicious bowl of homemade soup, as well!  

+++ Coffee With the Pastor continues on Wednesday mornings at 9:30am in the Fireside Room! We spend an hour or so in fellowship, and you are invited to join us. 

+++ Take a look at the growing table of items for the Brown Bag Lunch program offered by our friends at First UMC in Camillus! This is our Lenten Mission project, and a shopping list is available for your participation as well!  

Make this day a great day and strive to know Jesus better each and every day. 
​Pastor Jack