Galeton Presbyterian Church News, 3-24-13

Galeton Presbyterian Church News, 3-24-13
by Martha Pennell, mpennell@northernpottersd.org

Holy week worship opportunities are as follows: Holy Thursday service (March 28th) at 7 pm at St. Paul’s, Good Friday service (March 29th) at noon at St. Paul’s, Easter services (March 31st) are 6am Sunrise service at Collins Memorial Park, 9 am service at St. Paul’s, and 11 am service at First Presbyterian. 

Pastor Tom’s sermon on Palm Sunday was titled, “We won’t stop cheering!” 

We come to church to get close to God and thank him for our blessings. Psalm 119 states, “Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go in and give thanks to the Lord.” Jesus’ feeling of connectedness and his thanks to God was at the heart of his life, according to Pastor Tom. 

He entered Jerusalem to offer God’s kingdom to everyone. Crowds were there and greeted him by waiving branches. Jesus knew his life was ending as he laid it down for the kingdom of God. There were conflicting attitudes and agendas. Pastor Tom explained that the scribes were jealous of Jesus’ influence. The Pharisees resented his criticism; the Sadducees resented his interference with the routine at the temple. The Romans did not want any disturbances and Pilate believed the popularity of Jesus would diminish his influence. 

Jesus in Jerusalem was God’s plan to display his love so dramatically it could not be ignored, according to Pastor Tom. Events in Jerusalem proved God loves us. The kingdom of God is unstoppable; nothing can beat the power of God. After pain and suffering there is always resurrection. 

We should have a smile and a song in our hearts because there is no power great enough to destroy one who desires God. We should never cease to follow and to praise Jesus!