Jewish Passover Service April 6
When Jesus ate his last supper on earth, he celebrated Passover with his Jewish followers. Unfortunately, the rest of what happened that night is lost to all of us non-Jews. But on Friday night April 6, that meal will take on new meaning for us as John Canter, a Messianic Jew, comes to PTCC to explain what Passover meant to Jews and to Jesus. John will first teach us what this sacred feast meant in the Jewish community. Next he will show us how Jesus is the fulfillment of many of the symbols at the meal. Finally he will guide us to partake of the cup and bread and bitter herbs that are common at a Passover meal, and are what Jesus shared with his followers.The service will be from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Bring your older children with you – we will sit at round tables in the worship center. Childcare will be available for newborns through pre-K at a modest cost, so make your reservations early by contacting info@prestontrail.org. (Be sure to eat beforehand – this is not a meal.)

Showers & Flowers Women Event
Join us on Tuesday evening, April 10th, 6:30PM in our main atrium & worship center for a very special women’s only event. We start with desserts and then will feature live music, drama, testimonies and much much more. ALL women are welcome, so be sure to invite your friends for a wonderful girls night out.Childcare is available for $5 a child.

Pre-registrations is required. Signup at the Yes! table.

Easter Choir
If you are interested in being a part of the Easter Choir, please contact Rod Padgett at Rod@prestontrail.org or 469-951-8490.

PT SOFTBALL
If you are 18 years or older and are interested in playing softball (men’s or co-ed) this spring on a PTCC team, sign-up at the YES! Table and you will be contacted with further details.

MEN'S MINISTRY
PTCC has a new and exciting men’s ministry designed to help men build strong friendships with other Christian men, become better husbands and/or fathers, and grow closer to God. Sign-ups already have exceeded expectations but there's still time to get involved. The schedule and details are on the website. Email Matt Moss for more information.

ONLINE GIVING
Make your life simpler by automating your giving. Follow the easy directions at www.prestontrail.org to setup for debit or credit card for regular giving and dream big donations. All transactions are secure and will appear on your regular statement.

LIFE GROUPS
Sign up at the Information Table or email info@prestontrail.org and get involved in a group!

Palm Sunday

This Sunday is Palm Sunday.  It is the day which believers remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the fact that it marks the beginning of the end of his earthly life.  You can read about it in Matthew 21:1-9 if you would like to know all the particulars.

To get a feel for what it must have been like, think of a ticker tape parade for the Mavericks when they win the NBA Championship (whoops, hope I haven’t jinxed them!), or the paparazzi surrounded red carpet at the Oscars.  Thousands of people were in town for the coming Passover festival and hundreds of them lined the street to get a look at this renowned and controversial prophet.  Jesus rode into town on a donkey in fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy which said that Israel’s true king would come in humility and peace riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). 

As he entered the city, an impromptu parade formed.  By the time he got to the center of the city the buzz in the crowd was electric.  Some people cut palm branches and others took off their cloaks and laid them on the street to pave his way with honor.  Many shouted words of affirmation and encouragement, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”  From all accounts it appears the crowd was ready to proclaim him king and usher him in as the long awaited Messiah.  But, what a difference a few days makes . . .

By Thursday Jesus’ approval ratings had shifted.  He was arrested on trumped up charges and was publicly and falsely accused.  Friday morning brought a hasty visit to the court of Pilate, the Roman magistrate.  Finding Jesus innocent of the charges brought against him, Pilate sought a politically convenient way to release him.  Remembering that his predecessors had often released a Jewish prisoner during Passover, Pilate offered to let Jesus go.  Funny thing.  The crowd, which had been so boisterous in welcoming him as king just four days previously, was now acting at the behest of Jesus’ hyper religious opponents.  They joined in a new chorus, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

Soon another impromptu parade formed, down the via dolorosa, the “way of suffering,” it went.  This time Jesus was carrying his cross to “the place of the skull” where his body would be broken and his blood spilled for the sins of all mankind.

Through the years I have been deeply moved by the example of Jesus’ courage and grace.  I have also been deeply disturbed by the fickleness of the crowd—one day willing to follow him wherever he would lead, the next leading him to the gallow. 

My personal prayer, and my prayer for all of us in this Easter season, is that we will be single-minded, un-wavering followers of Christ.  Just as we count on the faithfulness of God everyday, may he be able to say in return that he knows he can count us!

Jim  

Read previous Trail Notes here

LISTEN! Preston Trail Podcast
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Calendar at a glance...

April 1st Lifegroup Connection 10:35 AM - 11:05 AM

April 6th Passover Service 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

April 29th Partnership 9:30 AM - Noon