Newsletter: April 2007 Archives

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April 25, 2007

THE BUZZ AT ZION

TAKE THE PLUNGE VBS
Hang on to your life preserver! The VBS crew at Zion is preparing for a VBS water park adventure. They are getting ready to Take the Plunge and Make a Splash with Jesus! As kids move from one whirlwind activity to the next, they will be soaking up lessons that will last for a life time.
Kids will Take the Plunge at Raise the reef Praises, the Snack Shack, Craft-Away Cove, Oceans of Motion, and Bibleland Bay. It will be a week of fun and excitement sure to make a splash with kids of all ages. The twisting and turning will begin each day at 9:00am and end at 11:30 am, June 11-15, right here at Zion Church.
Now dive into the excitement and tell all your friends!

GUATEMALA PROJECT THANKS
I have just read of your generosity for the projector and computer for the Puralah Pastor’s Training Center. I have notified Mario Enriquez and he shares in my appreciation and excitement. Margaret and I are scheduled to go to Guatemala for the graduation ceremonies at Puralah on November 15-17 as well as doing leadership seminars in Guatemala City. We are honored to be able to deliver the equipment on behalf of Zion Church. Prayerfully I will be able to come to Worland in early December to report to you on my Guatemala and India trips, as well as other ministries I have been involved in with your support and prayers. Again, thanks for your continued heart for missions around the globe.
Bud Surles

TONS OF THANKS
Dear Women of Zion,
My heart was filled with wonderful gladness when I received a
package several days ago in the mail. I had read in the newsletter that many of you were baking cookies for students and so I began waiting in anticipation for my large brown box filled with popcorn and goodies. Thank you for the encouragement and the calories! As the semester tests approach and term papers are due here in Dallas it is nice to receive such a wonderful pick-me-up. God bless y'all (I do live in Texas) and may God continue to bless Zion!
Love and Blessings,
Jason W. Snyder

Dear Ladies of the Women’s Ministry,
Thank you so much for the goody box you sent of cookies, popcorn, and candy. We appreciate it so much, and have truly enjoyed it. It is so nice to have the support of church members at home!
Thank you again, Angie Miller & April Rabun

WELCOME BABY LIAM!
Proud Grandparents Bill and Marsha Hill and Kurt and Meridee Piel of Worland would like to announce the birth of their grandson, Liam Matthew Hill. Little Liam was born Thursday, April 19th, at 5:35am to parents Matt and Kristin Hill of Bozeman, MT. He weighed 7 pounds and 1 ounce. Congratulations Bill and Marsha!

VOTE THIS SUNDAY
There will be a vote immediately after morning Worship on Sunday regarding the installation of new carpet in the upstairs hallways of the church building. This project will cost $6,000 and must be voted on by the congregation.

BAKE SALE
This Sunday there will be a bake sale for Sarah Garnett following Morning Worship. Proceeds will go toward her Honor Academy tuition. Thank you for your gracious support in both baking goods and their purchase.

RECEPTION FOR THE RIGGS
Long time members Rick and Cassie Rigg will be moving to Cheyenne. There will be a reception in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday following the Service to show our
appreciation for their friendship and just how very much they will be missed. Come join us as we bid a sweet farewell.

2nd ANNUAL FLEE PARTY
Friday, May 4th– 12:00-7:00pm and Saturday, May 5th - 8:00-1:00pm
All items need to be brought in no later than Friday morning. Please refer to the bulletin insert in the April 15th bulletin for pricing details. If you need a copy just let Jennifer know in the office. Also, if you donate large items that remain unsold, we ask that you pick them up after the sale is closed on Saturday. For more information or are in need of assistance of any kind please contact Sandi Mischke 347-4159.

POUND PASTOR PARTELOW, PLEASE!
All this week the garage will be open if you’d like to place a pound of sugar, flour, or other non-perishable items to fill Pastor’s pantry. In the afternoon of the 30th, we need help to freshen up the house after the new floor is installed. If you have fresh food items needing refrigeration, bring them Monday afternoon also. Help will be needed on Tuesday to unpack boxes. This is a great opportunity to welcome and serve! Call Carol Couch (347-2229) or Dan Scheuerman (347-8913) if you have any questions.

CHECK OUT OUR LIBRAY!
There are great books on all kinds of topics: faith, leadership, love, parenting, spirituality, and lots more! There is an entire selection of adult and juvenile Christian fiction too. So, check out a “good read” from your church library today!

BOOK REVIEW
Manners and Customs of Bible Land
By Fred H. Wight
This is a great book to help our Western minds know the Near Eastern ways, largely unchanged across the centuries. There are 31 topics coved in 300 pages, with an easy to follow index. Check it out! Find the answers to those questions about which you were wondering.

The Five Love Languages
How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate
By Gary Chapman
A New York Times Bestseller. Chapman reveals how people express love in different ways. The reader is informed of the five languages of love: Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical Touch. This is fabulous book to help in finding the key to understanding each other’s unique needs and knowing the satisfaction and joy of being able to express fully your love and be loved in return.

WORKERS NEEDED
A HUGE thank you goes out to all the people who made this year’s Wednesday Night Dinners such a great success. We are all a few pounds heaver thanks to your scrumptious meals! Without your hard work we would “have to cook on Wednesdays”, so we are grateful. There is a need of 3-4 more workers for the 07-08 crew. Please know if we do not have these slots filled WE WILL NOT HAVE MEALS! If you would like to volunteer to fill a slot, PLEASE let Denise Cloud know ASAP! You can reach her at 347-8447. If she is not home, please leave a message.

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 02:00 PM | Comments (0)

FROM THE COUCH

How Long?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Psalm 13:2

Sometimes it’s impossible to understand what God is doing. Periodically, evil is allowed to manifest itself in such a way as to cause people to question whether God is really who He claims to be. This happened last week when a gunman murdered 32 people on the Virginia Tech University campus and then murdered himself. I’ve heard the questions before. I’ve wrestled with them myself. If God is really all-powerful and really infinitely good, how could He allow such a thing to happen? These are hard questions, and in our human nature we want firm answers. God clearly reveals Himself through His Word and creation to be both all-powerful and good, but He often chooses not to reveal to us specifically why He allows evil to manifest or specifically how He will work through its effects to accomplish His good purposes. He often leaves us in the dark, without answers to some very difficult questions. This is a difficult place to be, because we are forced to make a decision – walk by faith or look for another way
David found himself in that place as He wrote Psalm 13. Evidently, he had been enduring terrible suffering at the hands of wicked people. You can hear the pain in his voice as he cries “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1). Sometimes we feel like that, too. When we see evil seem to triumph in the world around us, it can make us cry out to God with doubt. Where are You? How could you let this happen? Do You even care? I want you to be encouraged in knowing that God is patient with the sincere and painful questions that plague us. When we honestly cry out to Him with these burdens, He doesn’t just leave us to wallow in our anxiety and misery. Notice what happened as David approached God with these questions. The Holy Spirit brought David away from the unsteady ground of anxious doubting and led him onto the solid ground of simple trust, and He did it as David honestly poured out His heart in prayer. David ends this prayer with a song of faith. Even though David is still wrestling with the same unanswered questions, he is reminded of all of the ways that God has shown Himself to be good, and faithful, and trustworthy. “How long” turns into “I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13:5-6).
I pray that as you wrestle with unanswered questions in life, you will bring them honestly to our great God in prayer. He might not always answer the question “why?”, but He will minister to your heart and remind you that He is faithful, and good, and in control, and worthy of your trust. May He guard your hearts and minds this week in Christ Jesus.
Pastor Steve

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 01:58 PM | Comments (0)

April 18, 2007

THE BUZZ AT ZION

WORLAND VBS STARTING TO ROLE!
Grab your sunglasses and beach towels and get ready for some splashing fun at our Take the Plunge VBS! Take the Plunge is a water park adventure! Each day we’ll plunge into the Word and learn how Jesus used the very common element of water to teach some very uncommon lessons.
As we soak up the Word, we’ll plunge into obedience, plunge into worship, plunge into courage, plunge into faith, and plunge into service. Each day we’ll Take the Plunge at Raise the Reef Praises, Oceans of Motions, the Snack Shack, Craft-Away Cove, and Bibleland Bay.
The twisting and turning of this splash-making adventure will begin each day at 9:00am and end at 11:30am, June 11-15 right here at Zion. So get ready and tell your friends about this thrilling, heart-pounding, and soul-soaking adventure at the Splash Zone.
Now, grab your sun block and your beach chair and prepare to get soaked as we Take the Plunge and Make a Splash with Jesus! It will be an adventure you’ll never forget!
Want to get involved…? Stay tuned for more information………………

YOUTH FUNDRAISER SUCCESS!
A HUGE thank you to all that helped out at the pancake supper and supported the kids through attending the dinner and renting a youth! Thanks to your generosity, we raised over $2,200.00 for the youth fund! This money goes toward scholarships and our many youth events throughout the year. We also raised $590.00 for the youth and adults planning to go on our Kenya Mission Trip in 2008! Heartfelt appreciation from all the youth, Steve, and Khela for your continued support!

GUATEMALA EQUIPMENT PROJECT UPDATE
The project has met its funding goal of $3,800! Be sure to stop by the Fellowship Hall after the church service on April 22nd to see the equipment in operation before it’s shipped to Texas where Pastor Bud will hand deliver the computer and projector to the training center in Mocuhan, Guatemala in November 2007. Thank you to those who gave so graciously to this project.

2nd ANNUAL FLEE PARTY
Friday, May 4th– 12:00-7:00pm and Saturday, May 5th - 8:00-1:00pm
All items need to be brought in no later than Friday morning .Please have items reasonably priced. Large items that are donated that do not sell, donor will be asked to dispose of after the sale is closed on Saturday. For more information please contact Sandi Mischke 347-4159

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER
April 25, 2007 @ 5:30pm
Italian Carry-in Dinner
This will be the last meal for this year.
Come join us!

DENECKE’S 25th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Congratulations to Doug and Julie Denecke on their 25th wedding anniversary! Please join them as they celebrate their special occasion this Sunday, April 22nd in the Fellowship Hall following Morning Worship. Cake and refreshments will be served.

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 01:51 PM | Comments (0)

FROM THE COUCH

Removing The Veil – Part 2Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your Law
Psalm 119:18

Last week we looked at how we might tap into the wisdom and power of the Scriptures and experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit working through them to impact our lives. We looked at how hard it is for many Christians to read the Bible, and how important it is to approach God’s Word on His terms, not ours. We looked at how this involves seeing God’s Character revealed in every sentence of Scripture. When we meet God Himself in the pages of the Scriptures, we can’t help but walk away from that experience unchanged. This week I’d like to build on that foundation by giving a few practical suggestions on how we might open ourselves up to better receive what the Holy Spirit has to give us through His Word.
First, we must make time to read the Scriptures every day. D.L. Moody explained it like this: “A man can no more take in a supply of grace for the future than he can eat enough for the next six months, or take sufficient air into his lungs at one time to sustain life for a week. We must draw upon God’s boundless store of grace from day to day as we need it.” It’s wise to read at the same time each day if possible to develop a routine. Avoid reading right before you go to sleep - we all know how that turns out!
Next, it’s very important to follow a reading plan. Simply reading the Bible randomly limits what we can receive from it, because it prevents us from seeing the larger picture and making connections between larger sections of Scripture. Reading three chapters a day and five on Sundays will take you through the whole Bible in a year. If you would like some help in developing a specific reading plan, give me a call and I’ll be glad to make some suggestions.
It’s also vital that you pray before you read. Thank God for revealing Himself so perfectly in His Word. Praise Him for His wonderful work in your life. Ask God to reveal Himself to you as you read, and to help you focus and concentrate. Ask Him to give you the discipline to carve out quality time to read and to follow your reading plan, to forgive you when you fall short, and to help you persevere when you want to give – up. Ask Him to frustrate the enemy’s attacks and protect you from them as you read. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate your heart and mind to the truth. Ask Him to give you a burning passion to know Him more intimately through His Word. Remember what Jesus said – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Maybe you’ve been missing something in your Bible reading because you are approaching it like any other book. Don’t open the Scriptures without first preparing yourself through a time of focused prayer.
Finally, it’s important to take something from God’s Word each day on which to meditate. Fill your mind with a small portion of Scripture and let it absorb into your soul. Write it down on a note card, read through it repeatedly, and think about what it means and how it’s relevant in your life. Memorize it. Pray it’s truth back to God, and ask Him to open your heart to receive it and be changed, even if just a little. Even speak it out loud to yourself when you are in the car or someplace quiet.
Why are these things so important? Because they enhance our ability to drink deeply from the well of God’s Word. The primary source of the Holy Spirit’s wonderful work in our lives is His Word and prayer. To neglect either is just like walking past the only well of life-giving water that exists in the driest desert. If we don’t live our lives around it, and drink deeply from it on a regular basis, we can’t survive spiritually for very long. My prayer for you this week is that you will be like the man described in Psalm 1, who meditates day and night on God’s Word. He flourishes like a tree which is planted near a stream of water – growing strong and bearing fruit because he is continuously tapped into the source of life.
Pastor Steve

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 01:51 PM | Comments (0)

April 11, 2007

THE BUZZ AT ZION

ANNUAL PANCAKE SUPPER & RENT-A-KID FUNDRAISER
April 15th @ 5:00 pm, the Consistory will once again be serving up flapjacks for our annual youth fundraiser! Youth work teams are being assembled and will be on the auction block ready for your bidding! Cost is: $6/Adults and $4/children. Come hungry and generous to support our fine youth!

WORLAND VBS
Take the Plunge! This year’s VBS is a water park adventure. But more than that, it’s a Bible adventure our kids will LOVE! With a water park environment, our kids will be challenged to plunge into: obedience, worship, courage, faith, and service. So, mark your calendars for June 11th-15th to make a splash for Jesus.

CARPET INSTALLATION HAS BEGUN
Instillation of the new carpet has begun! The Fellowship Hall echoes of emptiness while the clatter of the crew is continual. Progress is being made and hopefully the Fellowship Hall will have all new carpet by this coming Sunday. The halls and stairways are scheduled at a later date due to shipping complications. As stated before, if you would like to contribute to this project, please make checks out to: Zion Building Fund and specify carpet on the memo line. A total of $10,020.00 has been donated to date. Thank you SO much to all who have contributed to this need!

COOKIE THANK YOU
The ladies would like to send out a heartfelt thanks to all the women who baked cookies and popped popcorn for the college and military kids. Your time and thoughtfulness is much appreciated! There were a total of 32 boxes sent making this years project a great success! Thanks also goes to the ladies who gave a their time to package the boxes.

ACQUIRE THE FIRE UPDATE
We will be packing up and leaving April 27th-29th! I have sent letters, complete with itineraries and phone numbers, to all the parents whose youth are attending the event. Don’t forget to turn in the remaining $30 and permission slips by April 18th! If you are in need of scholarship help, please contact Steve or Khela.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER
April 18, 2007 @ 5:30pm
Sub Sandwiches, Chips and Dessert
*$3.00 per person or $12.00 per family
Come join in the fellowship and fun!

2nd ANNUAL FLEE PARTYFriday, May 4th– 2:00-7:00pm
Saturday, May 5th - 8:00-1:00pm
All items need to be brought in no later than Friday morning. Please have large items reasonably priced. Items that are donated that do not sell,donor will be asked to dispose of after the sale is closed on Saturday.

THANK YOU
To Our Church Family~ Thank you so much for all your cards, flowers, calls, gifts, visits, food, and most of all your prayers. Thank you too Pastor Steve and Dan and everyone who stopped by to see me in Billings and Worland. What a good feeling to have so many people that care about you. I am doing better. I pray God will bless all of you for your caring and kindness. ~ Leroy & Judy Fabricius

BIRTHDAY THANKS
Dear Friends~ Just want to thank those of you who took time to come and help me celebrate my 90th birthday. It meant so much to me. May God bless you all!
Love, Marie Howard

GUATEMALA EQUIPMENT PROJECT UPDATE
As of April 10th $2300.00 has be contributed toward the ongoing project to provide electronic equipment to the Purula Training Center in Mocuhan, Guatemala. The total cost for the equipment is $3,800 plus the shipping of the equipment to Texas where Bud Surles will hand deliver the computer and projector to the training center in November 2007. Thank you to those who have give so graciously to this project.

BIBLE TRIVIA / HUMOR FOR YOUR WEEK
Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth?
A. Ruthless.
     Q. What do they call pastors in Germany?
A. German Shepherds.
Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.
    Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.
    Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. David's Triumph was heard throughout the land. Also, probably a Honda, because the apostles were all in one Accord.
    Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?
A. Samson. He brought the house down.
    Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.
   Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?
A. The area around Jordan The banks were always overflowing.
    Q. Who is the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible?
A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.
    Q. Which Bible character had no parents?
A. Joshua, son of Nun.
    Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark?
A. Because Noah was standing on the deck. (Groan...)

PS. Did you know it's a sin for a woman to make coffee?
Yup, it's in the Bible. It says . . . "He-brews"
KEEP SMILING!!!! GOD LOVES YOU BUNCHES AND BUNCHES!!!!

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 01:26 PM | Comments (0)

FROM THE COUCH

Removing The Veil – Part 1

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your Law
Psalm 119:18
Do you ever feel like you have a veil over your eyes when you are trying to read the Bible? Maybe you read a chapter or two, and almost immediately you can’t remember what you’ve just read. Or maybe you find it hard to bridge the considerable gap in time and culture between your world and the world of the writers of Scripture. Maybe reading any book is difficult for you in this fast-paced, high tech, image-oriented world. For a number of reasons, many if not most Christians really struggle when it comes to reading the Bible. So how do we remove the veil? How do we make the Bible come alive for us? Over the next few weeks, I’ll offer a few suggestions. I hope that they are useful.
This week, let’s focus on approaching the Scriptures with the right perspective. This is very important, because if we don’t read the Scriptures with the proper perspective, we are sure to walk away from our reading largely unaffected. So what is the wrong perspective? I think it involves approaching the Bible on my terms. This means focusing completely on me - what I want to get out of reading it, when I want to fit it into my schedule, how much I feel like concentrating as I read it, etc. It is a completely self-centered perspective. In reality, God gave us the Bible on His terms. When my central focus in reading the Bible is on God and not myself, it’s amazing what happens. I don’t have to make the Bible come alive, I find that it already is alive (Hebrew 4:12). When I can properly see God as the central focus of everything, then I can use the truth of the Scriptures to successfully navigate through life. However, if I approach the Bible with the idea that I can modify God to make Him closer to being made in my image, then none of it makes sense. But it’s not because there’s something wrong with the Bible. It’s because I have approached it with the wrong perspective.
Let me give you an example of one who approached the Scriptures with the right perspective. David wrote “I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold” (Psalm 119:27). In fact, David expresses His love for God’s Law no less than 10 times in this Psalm. David can express such great love for God’s commands because He sees them with the proper perspective. He sees God’s Character in them. He sees God’s Holiness, and goodness, and righteousness, and justice. He sees God! My prayer this week is that God would remove the veil from our eyes so that we can each experience the treasure of beholding the wondrous things that He has revealed in His Word.
Pastor Couch

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 01:25 PM | Comments (0)

April 04, 2007

THE BUZZ AT ZION

NAVAJO MISSION TRIP UPDATE
All those interested in going on our 5th Navajo Mission Trip met Tuesday night to discuss the trip itinerary and VBS roles. We are off to a great start and looking forward to another year of ministry! We are still in need of one adult teacher to complete our team. Please be in prayer for this vital trip and the plans God has for us!

CARPET DONATIONS - UPDATED
The carpet is in! Instillation of the new carpet will begin on April 9th. We have made a deposit of $10,000 and still have $10,000 to go. The price for the new carpet is roughly $20,000. If you would like to contribute to this project, please make checks out to: Zion Building Fund and specify carpet on the memo line. A total of $9,600.00 has been donated to date. Thank you SO to all who have contributed to this need!

COOKIES FOR COLLEGE KIDS - UPDATED
The names and addresses are in and now it’s time to start packing the cookies. But wait! We don’t have any cookies. Ladies if you are planning to bake any goodies for the kids please contact Sally so she will have an idea of how much more will be needed if any. Also, please let her know if you plan to pop any popcorn. Packages will be put together at 1:30pm on Monday at the church. Please remember this date to make cookies or bars. As always, we need LOTS of popped popcorn for packaging.

SPIRITUAL COUNSEL MEMEBERS
Due to the Maundy Thursday service, there will not be a Spiritual Counsel meeting for the month of April. See you at next months meeting, scheduled for May 3rd at 7:00pm

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE
This year’s Easter Sunrise Service will begin at 6:15 am at the Banjo Ranch. The youth will again be conducting the service with music, a skit, and an Easter message. Breakfast will be served in the Fellowship Hall following the service.

ATF UPDATE
All deposits have been turned in and the tickets have been bought! The remaining $30 will be due April 15th. If you are in need of a scholarship, please let Steve or Khela know. Khela will have a parent letter along with an itinerary sent out shortly.

2nd ANNUAL FLEE PARTY
Friday, May 4th– 2:00-7:00pm
Saturday, May 5th - 8:00-?
All proceeds will go to the Family Life Center
For more information contact:
Sandi 347-4159 or Karen 347-8522

BAKE SALE
There will be a bake sale for Sarah Garnett on Sunday, April 29th right after Morning Worship. Proceeds will go toward her Honor Academy tuition. Sarah will begin Honor Academy on the 17th of August, 2007 and the Lord has already provided $4,800 of the $7,800 needed. The rest is needed for monthly installments (3 x $600 & 3 x $400) beginning in August. Thank you for your gracious support in both baking goods and their purchase.

GUATEMALA EQUIPMENT PROJECT UPDATE
This past Sunday (April 1), members of the mission committee presented an ongoing project to provide electronic equipment to the Purula Training Center in Mocuhan, Guatemala.
The project is in cooperation with Mario Enrequez, who is an instructor at this Bible College. This institution has trained 15,000 indigenous pastors in 30years to serve Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Belize.
Eight hundred pastors obtained the services of this College in 2006. There track record using only the most rudimentary equipment is astounding. By providing a Dell Computer and LCD projector to the college we undoubtedly increase the quality and quantity of instruction that is now possible.
The project is going very well. On April 1, 2007, Zion Church contributed $2050 to the project. The total cost of the equipment purchase is $3800.00 plus the shipping of the equipment to Texas. Bud Surles will hand deliver the computer and project to the training center in November 2007.
If you desire to contribute to this mission project, please do so to Zion Church, Mission Fund, Guatemala Equipment Project.

Please join us for an
90th Birthday Party
Honoring:
Marie Howard
Saturday, April 7, 2007 3:00-5:00pm
At
Frieda Scheuerman
1608 Circle
No gifts please
Cards would be appreciated

Please note:
The church office will be closed
Good Friday, April 6th
Have a blessed Easter!

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 11:15 AM | Comments (0)

FROM THE COUCH

The Oil Press

He was crushed for our iniquities…
Isaiah 53:5

It has been said that before we can truly experience the light of Resurrection Sunday, was must walk through the darkness of that which came before. As I walk through the Scriptures that tell of our Lord’s suffering and death, I have to stop for awhile in an olive garden on the Mount of Olives called Gethsemane. The name Gethsemane literally means the oil press. It was here that that we begin to see so clearly the great cost of Jesus’ love. It was here that Jesus began to be crushed in the oil press of suffering on our behalf. It is a place where we should stop for awhile and remember.
When I read the accounts of what happened in the garden that night, I can’t help but be overcome by Jesus’ agony. But I have to ask why? Why was He not immediately arrested? Why must we see Him wrestle in prayer as He accepts the cup of the Father’s wrath and waits to endure the unimaginable pain and separation that the cross will bring? Why couldn’t the writers of Scripture have taken us right to the cross and get it over with quickly? Even as I ask these questions, I think I already know the answer. At Gethsemane, Christ gives us a glimpse of something very important - His true humanity. Here I can begin to see how real His forty days of temptation was in the dessert. Here I begin to see how real the human experience of suffering was that He endured. He never ceased to be fully God through any of this, but at the same time He really suffered the punishment that I deserve. And He suffered it fully, just as I would have suffered it! The most overwhelming thing about all of this is that He did it willingly. “not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39). No one took His life, He laid it down in perfect obedience and love (John 10:14-18). The oil press of Gethsemane forces me to see how real all of this was. It brings a fullness of meaning to the great truth – God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
May each of you experience the great impact of Christ’s sacrifice in your life as you stop for awhile in an olive garden outside of Jerusalem and remember what He endured for You.
Pastor Couch

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 11:14 AM | Comments (0)