This Sunday we draw near to the cross as we focus on the fourth statement that Jesus made as He hung on the cross, dying for the sins of humanity. This fourth statement has been called a prayer of dereliction or abandonment, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” We focus on this prayer of our Savior with the desire of finding encouragement and hope in those times we face the trials and hardships in life.

As Mary, the mother of Jesus, grieved at the foot of the cross, Jesus, with His heart of love and compassion called upon John to take care of Mary. By doing so our Savior gave us an example of a beautiful ministry He seeks to have in each of us as individuals and as the family of God. We learn this Sunday about this ministry He is seeking to have in us and through us in the church and in the community.

From the beginning of His ministry all the way to his death, Jesus had one purpose in mind and that was, in His own words, “to seek and save the lost.” Accomplishing this mission brought him into direct contact with the non-religious outsiders of his day. The response of the pharisees to this close association with “sinners” was harsh and accusatory to say the least. This Sunday we see how this overall mission of Jesus led Him to His second statement that He made while He hung on the cross and we will see how that relates to the Pharisees judging Jesus by the company He kept.

Despite the excruciating pain, Jesus made seven statements that would change the world. Each statement he made would give us a window into God’s heart and to the ministry God seeks to have in our lives and through our lives into the world. This Sunday we focus on the first of these seven statements, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

The most important thing that happens on Ash Wednesday is not what happens on the outside, the placing of ashes on our forehead, but what is happening on the inside; what is happening in your heart, in your soul.

When was the last time you woke up in the morning, got up, walked to the bathroom and looked at yourself in the mirror and said these words of the psalmist;

“Wow, just look at that! Lord, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.”

Our prayer is that by the end of the service you will find the ability to do that when you wake up on Valentine’s Day.

God has always been calling His people in to the future, to look forward, to dream and listen to his voice as His desire is to guide His children along the path that He knows is best. The same is true for the church. We call that walking in God’s will. We do that as individuals, and we do that as a church. His will is not so much focused on the now but on the future. He has a plan for each of us and His desire is to reveal that plan to us as we walk with Him.

This Sunday we begin the journey to not only know, but more importantly experience His will in our lives.

We are excited to have Michael Schwartz bring the morning message this Sunday in worship. Michael is currently serving as the state chaplain for the Georgia Veterans and has completed lay speaker training for the North Georgia Conference.