The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” – John 12:12-13
Dear Harpeth Hills Family:
Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. As you read the verses from John 12, can you picture the crowd waiting for Jesus? They line the streets with excitement, and when the Lord appears the people raise their voices in shouts of praise: “Hosanna!” It is our prayer, sisters and brothers, that on this Palm Sunday and in the days ahead, we each find our unique, physically distanced but spiritually deepened way, to lay down our branches before the Lord, experience his presence, and offer praise and thanksgiving for His matchless and eternal love for us.
In sending these letters to you each week, we are reminded of the separation we are experiencing as a church family. We all are flooded with daily reminders of the things that are presently lost to us, including our inability to gather with family, friends, and our Harpeth Hills brothers and sisters. Sadness, separation, and loss impacts each of us in different ways. As your Shepherds, we want to make sure that the concerns of our church family are addressed. To that end, please note the information and links at the end of this letter for resources and contact information that you may find helpful.
Despite our present circumstances, it is our prayer that your faith, hope, and love will be strengthened during these days. Each day may our hearts be open to what we are gaining. Take time to ask yourself:
• What am I experiencing that is drawing me closer to the Lord?
• How is God transforming and renewing me?
• How am I experiencing spiritual growth and gain?
These are days when we may find ourselves, like never before, with the opportunities to enter into God’s Most Holy Place. In 2 Corinthian 3:18, Paul writes:
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
May these challenging days be days where any veil that has separated us from God is torn away and removed. May we, “who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory,” hear the invitation to enter God’s Most Holy Place. May we all emerge from these days of separation and physical distancing with unveiled faces that reflect transformation with a radiance that is irresistible and undeniable.
We look forward to that day in the not-too-distant future when our Harpeth Hills family comes together again as a renewed people of God. And with unveiled faces, our voices will sing and shout together, with more passion and gratitude than ever before – “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!”
We love you and we miss being with you. With God’s grace and mercy, we will be together again soon.
With Love,
Your Shepherds
Here are some helpful links. Please let us know if you need assistance in any way.
Elders Contact Information (pdf)
Request Prayer from Elders and Ministers