Happy Palm Sunday! Blessed Good Friday! Happy Easter!
Dear colleagues in ministry, lay leaders, siblings, sisters and brothers,
Our synod is infinitely grateful to you for your leadership, your faith and faithfulness, and your commitment to Jesus as you faithfully follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in these challenging times. Holy Week is a very intense time in the life of the church. So, please, remember to take time after Easter for rest, restoration and renewal. We need each other to be healthy.
Clearly, after the extreme challenges of the pandemic, things have been very difficult for the church and for society in general. The decline in attendance numbers has been felt in the church and at events outside of the church as even the Saskatchewan Roughriders have felt a decline in their game-day attendance at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. If the hottest team in the CFL can be that impacted, how much more would the church that is being pushed to the margins in the lives of many and in society in general?
The challenges we face are not ours alone, and neither are we alone as we face those challenges. God who is ever present by our side is embracing us, healing us, lifting us up, and calling us to renewed faith and commitment to the gospel and its proclamation. The hope we have in Jesus propels us into action in discipleship, ministry and mission as we strive to love and care for the neighbour by embracing all while breaking down all barriers and as we love and care for the world God has made as stewards of creation.
As we celebrate Palm Sunday, we are reminded of the impending Passion of Jesus, and ultimately his resurrection as we celebrate Easter. Along this tumultuous journey as Jesus goes from being lauded to being crucified to rising from the dead for our sake, we are made aware that God’s love and faithfulness towards us transcend and overcome any challenges and perils we may face. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5b). We may struggle now, but there are signs pointing to a brighter future for the church. Let’s not give up but let’s continue to be faithful!
Let’s not give up in the midst of the challenges we face! Let’s rise up, people of God, and follow the leading of Jesus! Let’s rise up, siblings, sisters and brothers, and see the marvellous things God is doing! Let’s rise up, beloved and treasured people of God, and reach out to the neighbour in love! Let’s rise up to proclaim on Easter Sunday: “Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!”.
Happy Palm Sunday! Blessed Good Friday! Happy Easter!
Abundant blessings in Christ,
Rev. Dr. Ali Tote
Bishop
Saskatchewan Synod ELCIC
