     “ 24 Hours that Changed the World ” is the name of the study we are using for our Wednesday Lenten Soup Suppers. It is the story of what happened during the last day of Jesus’ life as a human here on earth. I’m excited about this study, because the video brings the stories alive, by taking us to the places in Jerusalem where these things took place!
     In Adam Hamilton’s introduction to the book of the same title, he reminds us first, that Jesus lived a life of approximately 33 years, or 12,000 days. Second, the gospel writers devoted most of their work to just 1,100 or so of those days, or the last three years of his life. And finally, they devoted most of their interest to one day in particular, the day he was crucified. It was a day that changed the world.
     In just a few weeks, we will be remembering that last day, through both a Thursday night ceremonial Seder meal, similar to the “Last Supper” that Jesus shared with his disciples, and a special Good Friday evening Worship Service. Both offffffffffff these services are meant to help us to recognize that we carry in ourselves, all of the same emotions that the disciples felt as they faced the uncertainty of that last 24 hours. They reacted with fear to His arrest, the beatings, the crucifixion, and their own denial. Jesus, their savior and friend, was taken from them by unjust auth      We also carry with us, something that they did not have that last day. Hope! We carry with us the hope that comes from knowing the rest of the story. As we move together through this season of Lent, a season of preparation, we need to encourage each other to keep our ears open, to keep our eyes focused, and to open our hearts, to the moving of the Holy Spirit all around us.
     We all have had 24 hour periods in our lives that have changed our worlds. They have either been wonderful times when we celebrate life, or perhaps difficult times when we have struggled even to see God walking beside us. Remember, that on that last evening as he prayed in the garden, even Jesus of Nazareth struggled with God’s will for his life. He knows where we are in our lives today. He knows how difficult 24 hours can be.
     Jesus asks his disciples, both 2000 years ago and today, to remember. To remember His final day, and the Sunday following, when the new hope of resurrection filled their hearts for all eternity. Remember and give thanks for the ways Christ has filled your heart with hope, forgiveness, healing, and love for all eternity.
     We remember that your lives have made a difference to us as well. And we give thanks for all the ways that Christ is working through you.
     Join us both the evening of April 1st, and April 2nd, as we remember all that Christ has done for us. We have been changed, we are becoming faith-filled, we have been given salvation, and we have been promised life eternal. This is all possible for us, because of “24 Hours that Changed the World.”


March 2010
Evergreen United Methodist Church
1120 Evergreen, Court, Wahpeton, ND 58075
Church: 701-642-6202   Parsonage: 701-642-4439
Paul Baker, Pastor-email: evergreenpastor@702com.net
Julie McGovern,Adm.Secretary-email:evergreenoffice@702com.net
Website: www.evergreenumc.com