It is Maundy (Commandment) Thursday (as I write this). Later today we will remember the covenant God made with us through His son Jesus. The bread and wine of Holy Communion are the means by which that covenant is experienced. The Lord’s Supper is such a wonderful gift! Every time we gather at the Lord’s Table we are reminded of the radical love of God through simple things like wine and bread.

Tomorrow, we will gather to remember the sacrifice of Jesus that gives power to Holy Communion. We spiritually walk from the upper room where Holy Communion was first served to the disciples to Golgotha where Jesus died on cross for us.

Then we wait…

We wait for Easter morning. A day that brings joy beyond measure! We will gather to be told once again that death is not the end but only the beginning.

Whether you attend Bethel Lutheran Church or you attend church somewhere else, I encourage you to engage your hearts and minds and think about these things.

Also, if you are planning to attend worship this weekend, please read the article below. This is for us regular church “attenders.” I try to do all of this every Sunday…maybe we all should consider doing these things.

 Nine Considerations for Church Members This Easter
By Thom S. Rainer

It will be one of the highest attended days of the year for your church. It may be the highest.

There will be some people you don’t know. Some of them are guests. Others are members who attend infrequently.

You have an opportunity to make a gospel impression on these people with a few simple acts. Indeed, you have an opportunity to make an eternal difference. Here are nine servant actions for you to consider.

1. Pray as you enter the property. Pray for the guests. Pray for the services. Pray for the pastor and the sermon.

2. Park at the most distant spot available. Save the closer parking places for guests.

3. Greet people. They may be guests. They may be members. It’s okay to introduce yourself to either.
4. Look for people to help. You know the place well. Many others will not. Be a guide. Help someone who looks like he or she needs help.
5. Sit as close as possible to the front of the worship center. Save the back rows for guests and late entrants, so they don’t have to walk past so many people.
6. Sit in the middle. Don’t claim that aisle seat where people have to walk over you or past you.
7. Sit closely. Your worship center may be packed. If so, be willing to sit cheek to cheek.
8. Volunteer to serve. As the number of attendees increase, so does the need for volunteers. The parking team, kids ministry, and church greeter ministry are a few of the areas that will need more volunteers to help serve and minister to members and guests.
9. Pray as you leave. The Holy Spirit is likely working in many persons who attended. Pray for His continual work of conviction and comfort.

These are simple acts. They are acts of service. And if you survive doing these acts of kindness and service on Easter, you just might be able to do them on other days of worship as well.