One of the most memorable sight when traveling back from Viet Nam was flying east across the Pacific. We had left Taiwan at midnight and since we were flying east the 12-13 hour flight encompassed a sunrise, full day of sun, and then sunset behind us. About 30 minutes after the sun you could see the distant lights of northern California in the distance. Other than seeing my family when we got home, it's hard to remember a better sight on that trip. Nothing looked better than returning to our home nation. Yes, there were many memorable events and people we had met, but I will never forget the scene of the lights of the good old USA out the China Airlines window.
You and I, through faith in Jesus Christ, are citizens not of an earthly kingdom but of the heavenly kingdom. This Sunday in worship we will read from Philippians "our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." (Philippians 3:20-21) We are connected to Jesus Christ through the water and Word of Baptism. Through faith in Him our passports are issued by heaven and as Christ has died and risen again in glory, so we will also one day rise in glory. We, as Paul reminds us, eagerly await our Savior! We'll talk more about that this Sunday in worship.
Overheard Conversations at the Cross
On Wednesday we continue our Lenten series of potentially overheard conversations at the cross - worship services on Wednesdays during Lent are at 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. with a light supper from 5:30 to 6:45 in the School Commons. This coming Wednesday - March 3 - we overhear a conversation between Pilate and his wife. You will remember Pilate's wife (unnamed in Scripture, but in sources outside of the Bible she's named Procula) had sent a message to Pilate during his trial of Jesus telling him to set Jesus free because of what she had suffered in a dream. Join in the worship and let your faith be strengthened.
Trivia
It's been awhile since we've had a trivia question....but here we go. When we compare what are called the three Ecumenical creeds (Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian - called ecumenical because Christian denominations of every stripe accept them as true) who is the only heretic - as far as we can tell - that is mentioned by name in any of the creeds? Hint: The individual is mentioned in two of the three Ecumenical Creeds.
God bless you and we will rejoice together in worship this Sunday and next Wednesday!