The week between Palm Sunday and Easter is a week of increased participation in worship on the part of Christians. The faith calls for us to "remember," and to "witness." One of the ways we do both of those is by gathering in worship together. In worship we hear again the stories of scripture and recall them to our memory. We rehearse them in liturgy, hymns, and sacrament. We witness to each other and to the world through our presence. One of my parishioners said to me "This is such a solemn week." And it is. But another parishioner said "I am really grateful that on this week we seek to acknowledge the world's pain." The Christian faith is a joyful faith, but it is also an honest faith. This week is a week that helps to keep us honest. Here in this week we hear and acknowledge the authentic lamentation and pain that is so truly a part of human experience. We do not deny it. We do not run from it. We do not pretend it isn't there. In that honesty there will be hope for honest redemption. That was Jesus’ example. That was his honest work this Holy Week. I hope to see you in church- sometime before Easter. Pastor John