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Beloved Lake Country Alliance,

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.  They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son…On that day a fountain will be opened…to cleanse them from sin and impurity” (Zechariah 12:10; 13:1).

“Submit yourselves, then to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Grieve, mourn and wail.  Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:7-10).

Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to let yourselves experience the depths of grief on Good Friday in order to experience the heights of gladness on Resurrection Sunday.  Devote time to mourn; make time to rejoice.  Don't side-step the sorrow or look for a short-cut to everlasting joy -- the only way is through the suffering.

And can we try to prioritize our whole family this weekend--not just our immediate or extended family?  Rylee Robinson and Kendra Peter are following Jesus’ command to be baptized this Sunday, so don’t miss the opportunity to witness this and welcome them to our church family.

Be blessed in your comings and goings.  Jesus Christ is Lord!

Sandy