Please click here - Willow Hill United Methodist Church

A Holy Week
Walk With God
A Holy Week Walk With God
Palm Sunday
The King Arrives
Monday
We Are Called
Tuesday
Ready Through Prayer
Wednesday
A Servant Like Jesus
Maundy Thursday
The Greatest Sacrifice (a.k.a. The Greatest Love)
Good Friday
Seamless and Whole
Saturday
Forward Focus
Easter
He is Risen!
Monday and all the days of our lives . . .
Resurrecting Me
Palm Sunday
The King Arrives
Scripture:
Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king
comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey.
Matthew 21:1-2 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of
Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you
will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me.”
Words of Wisdom:
Remember the familiar story from the Bible. . . It began early Sunday morning as Jesus was walking
toward Jerusalem. He stopped for a moment and sent two of his disciples into a nearby village to carry out
a special errand. They were to find a colt tied there which no one had ever ridden, and bring it to Jesus.
They obeyed.
During His ministry, Jesus must have walked hundreds of miles up and down the land we now call the
"Holy Land," but there is no mention of Him ever riding, except in a boat across the Sea of Galilee. Why
now? Why a colt?
At this time in Israel, riding a colt into the city was what kings did during peacetime. During times of war,
he would ride a stallion. Therefore, Jesus gives a public declaration that He was a King – the King of
peace.
Five hundred years earlier, the prophet Zechariah had prophesied this. See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Prayer:
Praise to you, my Glorious God, for another example of Your prophecy being fulfilled. Knowing this helps
me dismiss any doubt of Jesus being the Messiah. May my faith be strengthened each time I become
more aware of Your sovereignty. Amen
Media Experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC2cU4TPg30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNvEoKYi7_g
Monday
We Are Called
Scripture:
Matthew 4:8-10 The devil took Him to a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the
world, and their glory; and he said to Jesus, "All these things will I give You, if You fall down and worship
me." Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and
serve Him only."
Luke 9:57-58 And as they were going along the road, someone said to Him, "I will follow You wherever
You go." And Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of
Man has nowhere to lay His head."
Words of Wisdom:
From the cradle to the cross Jesus was what we now call poor or poverty stricken. His parents could only
afford the least of possible sacrifices. Forty days after the birth, Jesus was presented in the Temple in
Jerusalem and Mary was involved in the service of purification. The typical required sacrifices were a
turtledove and a lamb. But the poor – as Joseph and Mary were – were allowed to substitute a second
turtledove for the lamb.
During His ministry, Jesus had no home – nowhere to lay His head. No scriptures tell of Him having
money, baggage, trunks of clothes, carts of food, animals – no mention even of a pillow for his head.
At the trial before His death, he was wearing all of his earthly possessions – 5 pieces of clothing.
It is impossible for us to wrap our minds around this. We, who have our warm homes, landscaped with a
carpet of grass and accented with bushes and flowers. We, who have our cars and trucks, bikes and
boats. We who have been given the blessings of savings accounts and pensions.
He not only sacrificed His life for us, but also all the potential comforts of that life. Let us remember that
next time we are given an opportunity to feed and clothe the poor, heal the sick, and be a friend to the
grieving.
Thought of the Day: We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Prayer:
Praise to You, our Glorious God for sending Jesus to us as one of us so that we can learn from Him. Help
us to again reconsider our priorities, which so often get jumbled. You are so generous with your blessings
to us. Guide us to follow Jesus, sacrificing so much for each of us. Amen
Media Experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkPgph8-yHY
Tuesday
Ready Through Prayer
Scripture:
Luke 22: 41-46 He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are
willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” Then an angel from
heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit
that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. At last he stood up again and returned to the
disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked. “Get up and
pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you.”
Words of Wisdom:
On display here is the example of prayer in the midst of trial, with Jesus portrayed as an example to be
followed by all of his disciples. Jesus prayed so earnestly that his sweat became like great drops of blood
falling down to the ground. An angel even gave him strength to pray harder. What was at issue here?
What was Jesus’ struggle? Was Jesus trying to get out of his mission?
With Peter, James, and John sleeping instead of praying, was Jesus thinking that the disciples weren’t
ready for him to leave them? Jesus knew what was facing him – the trials, scourging, betrayals, pain, and
death on the cross. Who wouldn’t want to sidestep those things if possible? Was this truly God’s will?
Jesus exposed his dread of the coming trials, but he also reaffirmed his commitment to do what God
wanted. Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me.” But
Jesus ends his prayer with, “Yet I want your will, not mine.”
All along he prayed, and urged others to pray, that he and they would not fail when the test came. He was
ready, through prayer, for the trial.
Thought for the Day: We, too, can be ready for the trials, if we arm ourselves with prayer in advance.
Prayer:
Gracious God, nudge us to come to You in times of trouble or confusion. By seeking Your guidance, we
will be ready for whatever test may be place before us. And give us the faith to pray as Jesus did, asking
that not our will, but Your will be done. Amen
Media Enhancement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32aQXu33anQ
Wednesday
A Servant Like Jesus
Scripture:
John 13:12-17 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you
understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I
am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I
have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater
than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that
you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
Words of Wisdom:
The one with the towel and basin is the King of the universe. He is the One before whom all nations will
one day kneel – and He now kneels before His disciples. Jesus knows the future of these twenty-four feet.
Jesus is aware that two of these feet belong to the man who has betrayed Him – and yet He cleanses
because He loves.
He knows that tomorrow the rest will bury their heads in shame and look down at their feet in disgust after
denying and hiding amongst the crowd. But He still loves them and wants them to remember that He, on
His knees, forgave them this sin before they even committed it. He offered His mercy before they even
sought it.
Thought for the Day: Like Jesus, we can, out of love, be a servant to others.
Prayer:
Praise to you, our Glorious God for the example of Christ. He, the Supreme Lord, took on the persona of a
lowly servant. He, our High Priest and Rabbi, kept teaching until the end. Help each of us to be ‘a person
of the towel’. Guide us to be humble. Open our eyes to see the needs of others so that we may be the
hands of Jesus with no expectation of a reward. Amen
Media Enhancement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjogHX4TwQg
Maundy Thursday
The Greatest Sacrifice (a.k.a. The Greatest Love)
Scripture:
Luke 22:17-19 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among
yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God
comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This
is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Words of Wisdom:
On Maundy Thursday, we reflect on the events surrounding the Passover meal where Jesus asks the
Disciples (and us) to take the cup and the bread in remembrance of Him. Also, on Maundy Thursday, we
remember how Jesus was in agony and praying so earnestly on the Mount of Olives, that His sweat
became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. We remember on Maundy Thursday, how
Jesus was betrayed by Judas, was arrested, and tried by Pilot. This led to Jesus being mistreated and
crucified.
Thought for the Day: Oh how Jesus suffered for us all! Oh how He loves you and me!
Prayer:
Loving Savior, during this season of Lent, I remember that in the beginning you were with God the Father,
and I remember that you humbled yourself and came to earth as a man. I remember that you suffered at
the hands of the Roman authorities. I remember that your body was broken, and your blood was shed for
me. Thank you for fulfilling the meaning of Passover by giving your body for me. How can I thank you
enough for living and dying for me so that my sins are forgiven? Help me see my sins like a bed too short
to stretch out on and a blanket too narrow to wrap around me (Isaiah 28:20), so I can change. Thank you,
Lord Jesus, for being our resurrection and life (John 11:25-26). And Jesus, as hard as this is for me to
fathom, Your Word says that just as Your Father has loved You, so You love me! You love me so much
that You want me to remain in Your love. If I obey Your commands, I will remain in Your love, just as You
have obeyed Your Father’s commands and remain in His love. You told me this so your joy may be in me,
and that my joy may be complete (John 15:9-11). I am so grateful! Thank You! Amen
Media Enhancement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24spuXYeFKY&list=RDTkx8WAycYAc
Good Friday
Seamless and Whole
Scripture:
John 19:23-24 When they crucified him, the Roman soldiers took his clothes and divided them up four
ways, to each soldier a fourth. But his robe was seamless, a single piece of weaving, so they said to each
other, “Let’s not tear it up. Let’s throw dice to see who gets it.” This confirmed the Scripture that said,
“They divided up my clothes among them and threw dice for my coat.” (The soldiers validated the
Scriptures!)
Words of Wisdom:
Written close to a century before Christ was born, David says in Psalm 22:16-18,
My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
an evil gang closes in on me.
They have pierced my hands and feet.
I can count all my bones.
My enemies stare at me and gloat.
They divide my garments among themselves
and throw dice for my clothing.
If anyone is ever tempted to think that the Bible is not the inspired Word of God, this would be yet another
example to the contrary. Except by divine intervention, how could David have chosen the words “pierced
my hands and feet” or “they divide my garments among themselves”.
Then there is the sentence about the tunic: It was seamless – not patched, not a combination of smaller
pieces, not having inset sleeves. And, in addition, we learn that it was woven from top to bottom. What
might be the significance of this description?
One possible explanation comes in the form of questions. Of what significance is the top to bottom
weaving? Could it be to remind us that if we look upward for all of our provisions, blessings, guidance,
mercy, and love, God will send them down to us? Is it possible that the seamless wholeness of the
garment is a symbol of the wholeness conferred by baptism? Or of the righteousness of God that can be
ours?
Another thought: the mention of the garment tells us the Jesus was acting as High Priest as the High
Priest wore such a garment at Passover. That would indicate that Jesus is BOTH the Lamb AND the High
Priest who offers the Lamb (himself).
Prayer:
Praise to you, our Glorious God for sending Jesus to us as one of us. What He had to endure is almost
unbearable for us to remember. His only earthly possession, His clothes, were taken from Him and were
used as the prize in a game of dice. But today we thank You for all He actually did leave for us – the gift of
His sacrifice so that we might spend eternity in Heaven with You. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Amen
Media Enhancement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wse1-l6HoFs
Saturday
Forward Focus
Scripture:
John 13:38 I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
Matthew 26:73-74 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one
of them, for your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to
them, “I don’t know the man!”
Words of Wisdom:
There are several times mentioned in the Bible where the disciples must have disappointed Jesus. In
Gethsemane they fall asleep instead of watching and praying with Jesus. Peter denies that he even knows
Jesus even after pledging that he will never fall away from him. Later, after Jesus’ death and resurrection,
He appears to the disciples as they are fishing on the Sea of Tiberias. Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do
you love me?” (John 21:15-17) It wasn’t lost on Peter that Jesus repeated His question to him three times,
just as Peter previously denied Him three times. When someone repeats instructions to us over and over,
we quickly understand that it’s extremely important for us to follow them. How amazing it is that in spite of
Peter’s denials, Christ used him to be the foundation of the church.
Thought of the Day: I can forget all past failures and focus on God’s plan for my life.
Prayer:
Gracious God, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to
win the prize for which You have called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). Help me to
focus on pressing forward with You now. Amen
Media Enhancement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsq3aDNhZIQ
Easter
He is Risen!
Scripture:
Luke 24 1-12 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had
prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the
body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling
apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you
seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in
Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third
day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven
and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary, the mother of James, and the other
women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they
did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by
themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
Words of Wisdom:
When growing up, my anticipation for Easter Sunday grew every day during Lent especially as the days passed
during the week leading up to Easter morning. I always looked forward to attending Easter sunrise service. My
church did not have a sunrise service, but I went every year with friends of our family, Lee and June, to their
church. These friends were older than my parents and closer to my grandparents’ age. They both had a very
strong faith in Jesus Christ. I looked toward June as my Christian mentor. Her love for Jesus came through
every day as she interacted with people that were in her daily life. I had trouble sleeping the night before as I
anticipated rising from my bed before sunrise. I would drive to June and Lee’s house and ride with them to their
church. As the early morning rays of sun filtered through the churches stained glass windows we would be
singing:
Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
As I sang that wonderful Charles Wesley song, I felt the presence of my living Lord and Savior Jesus!
This wonderful childhood experience made me reflect on how the apostles felt when Mary Magdalene ran back
to them and told them that two men in dazzling clothes told them that Jesus has risen from the dead. The
scripture tells us that the apostles did not believe them except for Peter who ran to the tomb to see this for
himself. What was Peter’s anticipation as he was running towards the tomb? Was he excited thinking that he
was going to see his Lord again? He went into the tomb and saw the linen cloths by themselves and the
narrative tells us he was marveled by what he saw! It is that same anticipation and marvel we all should have
every Easter morning when we celebrate that our Lord Jesus has conquered death and is a living and breathing
Savior for all of us! “Christ the Lord has risen!” “He has risen indeed!”
Thought of the Day: We should marvel that our Lord and Savior rose from the dead and is alive today!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please help us, through your Holy Spirit, experience anticipation and marvel as we celebrate
that our Lord Jesus conquered death and rose from the dead and that we like Jesus look forward to
resurrection life. Amen
Media Enhancement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFjnlBn0K10
Monday
and all the days of our lives . . .
Resurrecting Me
Words of Wisdom:
“Resurrecting” By Elevation Worship
The head that once was crowned with thorns
Is crowned with glory now
The Savior knelt to wash our feet
Now at his feet we bow
The one who wore our sin and shame
Now robed in majesty
The radiance of perfect love
Now shines for all to see
The fear that held us now gives way
To him who is our peace
His final breath upon the cross
Is now alive in me
By Your spirit I will rise
From the ashes of defeat
The resurrected king
Is resurrecting me
In Your name I come alive
To declare your victory
The resurrected king
Is resurrecting me
The tomb where soldiers watched in vain
Was borrowed for three days
His body there would not remain
Our God has robbed the grave
Our God has robbed the grave
By Your spirit I will rise
From the ashes of defeat
The resurrected king
Is resurrecting me
In Your name I come alive
To declare your victory
The resurrected king
Is resurrecting me
Prayer:
O Most Glorious Savior, You are risen indeed! Our God has robbed the grave and the empty tomb cries,
“Victory!” The promise of eternal life is guaranteed to all who believe. Thank you for loving us so much that
you gave your life that we may live. Guide us daily to follow your path, nudging us to remember that your final
breath on the cross is now alive in us! Amen
Media Enhancement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf8Zzn4nOzc
Presented to you
by the Willow Hill
Prayer Ministry Team
Arden Baldwin
Gail Brown
Jean Dean
Cathy Duffy
Luann Kuehn
Kari Moses
Ann Ringness
Jeff Ringness
Kathy Thompson
Barb Wilmot
Denny Wilmot
For more information about the Willow Hill Prayer Ministry, contact Barb Wilmot at [email protected].