Dear Friends Through Christ,

Following twenty years as an “excess/secondary steel broker” and twenty-eight years as an “ordained pastor,” I have concluded that being a good pastor is a whole heck of lot harder than being a good steel broker. In the steel business all I had to do was learn  everything I could possibly know about the product that I was selling.  From the initial  process of melting the elements to whatever the finished product.  I knew basically every grade of steel and the properties of metal like the back of my hand. I shared this knowledge of metallurgy to make a comfortable living and maintain a few lasting friendships.

Then came a call to be a pastor.  At the time, Sandy and I had three little ones, ages four, two and one.  I quit what I was good at, to pursue something I really knew nothing about.  The five of us, moved into the basement of my outlaw’s 1000’ basement and then I proceed to spend everything I had on four years of seminary at one of the top religious schools in the country, LSTC. 

Yet, in some ways, I approached the ministry much in the same way I approached the steel business… Learn as much about the Christian faith and Jesus Christ as possible and share this Good News with as many people as possible.  However, the most difficult part is knowing, knowing in your heart and soul, knowing in your life that the message of Christ Jesus can get a person through anything, knowing that this good news is capable of transforming lives in so many ways, knowing it is the only message in the world that offers even the hope of eternal life, knowing this and I can’t find the right words to reach those who are hurting.  It just seems that fewer and fewer desire what I share.  Being a pastor is a whole heck of lot harder than being a steel broker.  Still waiting to see if was worth it…

However, we as the church can never quit trying to make disciples, I can’t stop proclaim the gospel.  This year at Peace there will be all kinds of opportunities to reach our            neighbors with the worthwhile good news of Jesus Christ. 

By the time you get this newsletter, we should have two remaining Lenten Wednesday Soup and Sandwich.  We start serving supper at 6:00PM, with worship at 7:00PM for the next two Wednesdays, April 2nd and April 9th. For the next two weeks we will be examining the books of the New Testament, a summary of each book.  God’s come to us through Word.  Hope to see ya!  

Then on Thursday April 17th, Peace will offer Maundy Thursday worship at Noon and 7PM.  Maundy Thursday is probably my favorite of all religious holidays.  It is a day where the beauty of the Hebrew story of God’s love and the Christian story of Jesus’ love come together.  Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum” or commandment.  The new command Jesus gave was simply that “you love one another, just as I have loved you.” 

The incredible fact about the story is that Jesus gives this “new command” on the same evening as the Jews celebrated the Passover.  Where over 1000 years earlier, the Hebrews sacrificed a spotless lamb, placed the blood of this Lamb upon the doorpost of their homes.  That evening the angel of death ‘passed over’ any home with the blood of the Lamb upon their doorpost, but killing the first born of all males, human and animal, of the households without the blood of the Lamb, forcing the emperor of Egypt to set God’s people free! 

On this night, Thursday April 17th, we too will celebrate the angel of death passing over the doorpost of our hearts and causing the emperor of evil to set His people free from the slavery of sin, but now through the body and the blood of another spotless lamb—Jesus Christ.  The institution of Holy Communion begins on Maundy Thursday.  Through the body and blood of our Lord and Savior we are set free, set free to love our neighbor.  Not just words, but action.  Jesus leads by example.  On this Maundy Thursday, Jesus assumes the role of a servant, takes off his robe, gets down on his hands and knees and washes the disciples feet.  Jesus, the son of God, shows us, firsthand, that you and I are to work toward the benefit of our neighbor—we are to love.  Wow!  That is what I call, a lot happening on one evening, Maundy Thursday.  It would be a shame not to make it part of our lives.  See ya at worship, either Noon or 7:00PM.

Then on Friday, April 18th, Peace will offer Good Friday worship, same time, same place, Noon and 7PM.  Good Friday is a turning point in history.  Jesus, son of God, son of man, Word become flesh, Savior of the world, the Messiah, the Christ, Jesus would offer his flesh and blood, through his suffering on a Cross to forgive your sin.  Jesus will die at our hands to prove once and for all that God Almighty has power over death.  Trust these words and you will see...Resurrection only happens through death!  See ya at the Cross, either Noon or 7:00PM.

Then on Sunday April 20th, Peace will celebrate the victory of life over death.  We celebrate Easter at two different times and ways, Sunday morning at 6:30AM, outside, behind the church, gathered around the three crosses, we will host a beautiful sunrise service followed by a spectacular breakfast.  Or if you prefer the classic and formal beloved Easter, with all the music, choir, bells, Peace will again celebrate victory over death Sunday morning at 10AM.  The good news is that no matter when you choose to worship, you can still join us for some fabulous egg strata, sausage, pancakes, fruit, and juices, served from 7:15 to 9:30AM.  Start your Easter celebration with fellow friends through Christ. 

See ya at the Empty Tomb, either 6:30AM or 10:00AM.  

He is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!  I guess it was worth it…

Happy Easter!

Pastor David Trexler