Hello Church,

Yesterday, Palm Sunday, marked the beginning of Holy Week. It is such an important week in the Christian calendar because as we go through this week, we remember the lengths that Jesus went to to make a way for us to be reconciled to God. Jesus did not want heaven without us, so He left heaven to make a way to bring us to heaven. On the cross, which we will commemorate on Good Friday, he told the man who had faith next to Him, "Today you will be with me in paradise." It hit me one day that what makes paradise, paradise... is Jesus. Not paradise in and of itself, but being with Jesus, is what makes heaven so wonderful. Jesus, the longing of our hearts!

So with longing and anticipation for the resurrection of Easter Sunday, this week we remember together who Jesus is and what He has done for us. It is Good News indeed!

Blessings,

Gaia Stanley, on Behalf of the Elder & Minister Team