A Message from Pastor Kaji

We’re so thankful for the wonderful music and praise brought to us by C. Anthony Bryant and the Jazz Vespers series. If you haven’t already signed up for the Jazz Vesper newsletter please do so here. As always, thank you for risking the growth in faith we are inviting in this Lenten season.Can you believe that this Sunday will be the last in Lent? That’s right! Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, and we invite you to commit to the discipline of joining us for each of the services of Holy Week, culminating, of course, on Resurrection Sunday on April 9th. (A bonus for Easter – my child, since the beginning of 2023, has been planning a special coffee hour she’s hosting after church!)

I wanted to make a special invitation for Good Friday, when we will be worshipping from 12-3 pm with our neighbors at St. Ignatius Loyola for one of the most moving acts of devotion I’ve ever experienced – the Three Hours Devotion on the Seven Last Words of Jesus. I will be preaching on the last word: “It Is Finished”. (I’m including all 7 words, below, for your reference.) Please do join us in this time of devotion with our Jesuit neighbors.

As you can see, there is much to come in our worship lives together. But back to this Sunday: we’re back in Matthew with the story of the woman with the Alabaster Jar. I want to take a look at what we value and what we, ourselves, uniquely have to share. Please consider these things in your devotions as you prepare for worship.

Can’t wait to see you soon!

Pax Christi,
PK

Jesus’ Seven Last Words:

1. “Father, Forgive Them for They Know Not What They Do”
2. “Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise”
3. “Woman, Behold Your Son; Son, Behold Your Mother”
4.  “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”
5. “I Thirst”
6. “Into Your Hands I Commend My Spirit”
7.  “It Is Finished”

Scripture: Matthew 26:6-13 (Year A, p. 178):

6 Now Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon with the skin disease, 7 a woman came to him who had an alabaster vessel of extremely valuable balm, and she poured it on his head as he sat at table. 8 But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, “What purpose does this waste serve? 9 For this could have been sold for much, and the money given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus understanding, said to them, “Why are you making this trouble for the woman? She has done something good for me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 By pouring this balm on my body she has prepared me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”