[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon used for Facebook live-video for Palm Sunday: “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming’- a sermon based on a sermon of the same name preached by the Rev. Tony Campolo

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-----Original Message-----
From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sun, Apr 5, 2020 11:36 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon used for Facebook live-video for Palm Sunday: “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming’- a sermon based on a sermon of the same name preached by the Rev. Tony Campolo

Today, we meditate on the beginning of Jesus’ week oftorture, the week we call Holy Week.  Westart with the Palm Sunday episode, when Jesus entered into Jerusalem on theback of a donkey to adoring crowds.  Theyexpected him to collect an army, be the general, and take over the governmentfrom Rome. Instead, he rode into Jerusalem and went straight to the temple,where he drove out the merchants who were cheating the peasants who had to buyanimals for sacrifice.  They werecharging exorbitant prices for sick animals. Those who exchanged Roman money for temple money so peasants could paytheir tithe charged high rates as well.  Thiswas not what the people expected.  Theweek went from bad to worse, until by Friday (Good Friday to us) a crowddemanded the freeing of a murderer and the execution of Jesus.  My guess is, some of the people in that crowdwere some of the same ones who cheered him on Palm Sunday- talk about two-faced.  As we all know, what everyone at the timethought was the end of Jesus of Nazareth was when he was executed on the top ofa garbage dump/compost heap/Calvary hill between two thieves.  There, said the powers that seek to corruptand destroy the children of God!  That’sthat!  God has lost, and we forces ofevil- often called Satan, have won.  Theywere right for a couple of days, but they forgot something.  That was only Friday, but Sunday (EasterSunday, the Day of Resurrection) was coming. That was then and this is now.  We’ve got our own Friday.  How in the world can these ancient eventsspeak to us as we struggle with our anxieties due to this frightening COVID-19 crisis?When I turn on the TV, I seeU  Thenumbers of infected and dead going up at a frightening rate. Michigan now has14,225cases and 540 deaths.U  Temporarymorgues outside of hospitals and in ice skating rinks.U  It’shitting home.  As of yesterday, Saginawhad 103 known cases.U  Thenumber of infected people is probably much higher than that, because most ofthe population hasn’t been tested, since we don’t have enough tests.U  Thereare frightening news reports that the $1,200 from the federal government maytake longer than expected, and our bills were due the 1st. If that’s not bad enough, we’re stuck in our homes.  As we toss and turn in bed, sometimes we can’tshut off brains. U  We’reliving day by day in the unknown. The rules keep changing.  ·      We don’t even know who actually is positive forthe disease, since we didn’t plan well at the beginning so we would have enoughtests.·      We DON’S need to wear masks./We DO need to wearmasks. ·      When will this be over?  Will it come back?U  Howcan I possibly manage my finances? ·      When will I get back to work? Will my job evenbe there?·      How long will the food last?  ·      At lease we don’t have to worry about being evictedif we can’t pay the rent, because Gov. Whitmer issued an executive order thatbans landlords from evicting their tenants while Michigan is under a State ofEmergency due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.U  Whatif I catch COVID-19?·      Will I die? If I do, what will happen to my children, pets, others I love?·      How can I protect myself and those I love fromthose who are contagious, especially since doctors are telling us that 25% ofthose infected have a silent infection- i.e. no symptoms.  They don’t even know they’re infected.U  Whatabout my children and their fears, their attitudes, their education, theirhopes and dreams? I’ve got something to remind you.  IT’S ONLY FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY’S COMING.  U  Thiswill end, with us struggling through to the other side, either on this earth orin heaven with Jesus.  It will decrease,much sooner if we tolerate being stuck in our houses and stay in them, and ifwe obey the experts.  They know what they’retalking about and we only know what we wish or what we’ve heard.U  Ourfinances may never be great, but they well be better if we maintain ourserenity and plan and open the bills and make phone calls and use the brains Godgave us.  Eventually they will probablybe back to what passes for normalU  Ifwe seriously practice social distancing, we may not even get COVID-19. If wedo, an estimated guestimate is that 10% will be seriously sick and of those, about5 % will die. This is a guestimate from a reliable source, but istake-it-or-leave-it accurate. REMEMBER, IT’S FRIDAY.  We need to get through Friday. Say yourprayers.  Keep informed, but don’t fixateon the news. Love each other from a distance: call, text, Facebook, etc.  Maintain your serenity.  Breathe.  23rd Psalm (King James Version)1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: heleadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths ofrighteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadowof death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff theycomfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence ofmine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all thedays of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Church, please remember it’s only Friday.  Let’s live our lives so we are ready, becauseSunday’s coming.  May God bless us all.  Amen.-- 
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