Shepherd's Heart 4/18/25
Beloved Good Shepherd Family,
Today we linger together in the shadow of the cross. We hold space here, in this holy pause, between the hush of death and the whisper of hope. Today, we remember that before the joy and brilliance of Easter Sunday, before we sing "Alleluia" and gather in jubilant worship, there was darkness, uncertainty, and loss.
On this Good Friday, let us pause together to enter the journey. It is a journey marked not only by sacrifice, but by profound, incomprehensible love. At the cross, we witness Jesus entering into the fullness of our pain, our shame, our fears, and even our death. Theologian Fleming Rutledge reminds us, "The crucifixion is the touchstone of Christian authenticity, the unique feature by which everything else...is given true significance." Indeed, today we find authenticity and clarity for our stories, our struggles, and our own longing for redemption.
In this holy pause, may you remember that the cross isn't merely an event to observe from afar—it's an invitation into a new way of life. The cross is the place where Jesus fully enters our human condition, giving Himself entirely to us and for us. And as followers of Jesus, it becomes our story too. We carry the cross-shaped life within us, living sacrificially, loving radically, and forgiving freely.
So today, friends, let us pause in gratitude and humility, recognizing our profound need and God’s profound love. Let the weight of the cross remind us that resurrection life isn't possible without embracing the hard places, the painful places, the vulnerable places.
And yes, Sunday's coming. Soon we'll gather in joy and hope-filled celebration, as resurrection bursts forth and new life dances among us. We're anticipating an incredible weekend at Good Shepherd. In fact, we're expecting unusually large crowds, especially for our 10:45am Contemporary service. We’re projecting we could be roughly 150 seats short during this hour, and this is a beautiful challenge to have!
Could you help us extend hospitality to the many guests, seekers, and newcomers who will step onto our campus, perhaps for the very first time? If you are able to carpool with family or friends, that would help tremendously with parking. And if you are attending contemporary, if it’s possible for you and your family to consider attending one of our earlier or later services or a traditional service, you'd help create precious space for those who might be encountering the hope of Easter in a new way.
Thank you, beloved community, for embodying the self-giving love that Jesus modeled on this sacred weekend.
Today, may you know deeply that the Christ who entered the depths of darkness for you, walks tenderly with you into the bright dawn of resurrection morning.
From my heart,
Pastor Tara Beth
Today we linger together in the shadow of the cross. We hold space here, in this holy pause, between the hush of death and the whisper of hope. Today, we remember that before the joy and brilliance of Easter Sunday, before we sing "Alleluia" and gather in jubilant worship, there was darkness, uncertainty, and loss.
On this Good Friday, let us pause together to enter the journey. It is a journey marked not only by sacrifice, but by profound, incomprehensible love. At the cross, we witness Jesus entering into the fullness of our pain, our shame, our fears, and even our death. Theologian Fleming Rutledge reminds us, "The crucifixion is the touchstone of Christian authenticity, the unique feature by which everything else...is given true significance." Indeed, today we find authenticity and clarity for our stories, our struggles, and our own longing for redemption.
In this holy pause, may you remember that the cross isn't merely an event to observe from afar—it's an invitation into a new way of life. The cross is the place where Jesus fully enters our human condition, giving Himself entirely to us and for us. And as followers of Jesus, it becomes our story too. We carry the cross-shaped life within us, living sacrificially, loving radically, and forgiving freely.
So today, friends, let us pause in gratitude and humility, recognizing our profound need and God’s profound love. Let the weight of the cross remind us that resurrection life isn't possible without embracing the hard places, the painful places, the vulnerable places.
And yes, Sunday's coming. Soon we'll gather in joy and hope-filled celebration, as resurrection bursts forth and new life dances among us. We're anticipating an incredible weekend at Good Shepherd. In fact, we're expecting unusually large crowds, especially for our 10:45am Contemporary service. We’re projecting we could be roughly 150 seats short during this hour, and this is a beautiful challenge to have!
Could you help us extend hospitality to the many guests, seekers, and newcomers who will step onto our campus, perhaps for the very first time? If you are able to carpool with family or friends, that would help tremendously with parking. And if you are attending contemporary, if it’s possible for you and your family to consider attending one of our earlier or later services or a traditional service, you'd help create precious space for those who might be encountering the hope of Easter in a new way.
Thank you, beloved community, for embodying the self-giving love that Jesus modeled on this sacred weekend.
Today, may you know deeply that the Christ who entered the depths of darkness for you, walks tenderly with you into the bright dawn of resurrection morning.
From my heart,
Pastor Tara Beth
Posted in Shepherds Heart