Last year on Palm Sunday all the churches were closed because of the pandemic. This year things are still different – some churches are closed and some are fully open and many are trying something in between – but things are getting closer to normal. Although Tom and I are not yet fully vaccinated, we have our first shots and are looking forward to resuming “normal” life.
The church where we worship in Ohio, Lewis Center United Methodist, is one of those in-between churches. They had outdoor services until the end of October and then tried a reservation system for November. When Covid-19 cases went up in December they moved to online only worship. In February they went back to online and limited in-person services. Then Sr. Pastor Matt Yoder tested positive for Covid-19 so Associate Pastor Phil Rode, took over leading the online and in-person services.
For Palm Sunday, the church is returning to outdoor worship as well as online and inside services. I’ve never been to an outdoor Palm Sunday Service and am looking forward to attending my first one. Tom and I have been doing the online worship since October and we are looking forward to being live, in-person again. I think it will still be a while before we go inside for worship, but at least this gives us an opportunity to be with others for worship. The weather forecast for Sunday is for a high of 52, a low of 28, with 64% chance of rain. Not very promising for worship outside, but I appreciate the willingness of the Lewis Center staff to sacrifice their comfort for us. I may be wrapped up in my winter woolies and a blanket, but I will be there.
Palm Sunday isn’t about comfort. After all, Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, is a reminder of all that happened during Jesus’ last week so long ago. Sure, it started with a big parade and celebration, but it ended with a cross and death. This year, on Palm Sunday and during Holy Week, I want to mediate on the words of the old hymn written by Fanny Crosby, “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross.”
1 Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain;
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
2 Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Shed His beams around me.
In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
3 Near the cross! O lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me.
In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
4 Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.