This is a special additional week of Covenant Home Altar devotions from Linda Gilmore, reflecting on God’s mercy and forgiveness. Through Scripture and stories from everyday life, Gilmore considers how God’s mercy shapes the way we understand forgiveness, community, and our own response to God’s grace.
Commentary
President John Wenrich Shares Easter Blessing
Thirteen chapters before Jesus is betrayed, Luke tells us, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).
Determined to fulfill the mission, Jesus walks with his disciples into a history-changing week. Propelled by the Spirit, Jesus demonstrates a staggering self-awareness as one loved and sent by his Abba Father. The Father’s love defines Jesus.
The Father’s love, expressed through the mission and message of Jesus, defines us too. As we walk together in this most holy of weeks, please know that I am praying for you and your congregation. Whether you are gathering onsite, online, or a mixture of both, may the Spirit of the living God encourage you and give you resurrection hope.
As you preach the gospel, may it be “not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction” (1 Thessalonians 1:5). May thousands upon thousands of people hear and receive the good news of Jesus. I pray for many to cross the threshold of faith into God’s enduring kingdom by saying yes to Jesus.
I have been praying this prayer every weekend this year for all our Covenant churches. But this week is especially significant, knowing all that we experienced in 2020, which continues today. May our ears, hearts, and minds be receptive to the moving of the Holy Spirit! Rise up, Church, to proclaim and demonstrate the whole gospel! Jesus is alive!
John Wenrich
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This is a special additional week of Covenant Home Altar devotions from Linda Gilmore, reflecting on God’s mercy and forgiveness. Through Scripture and stories from everyday life, Gilmore considers how God’s mercy shapes the way we understand forgiveness, community, and our own response to God’s grace.
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