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<div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black">-----Original Message-----<br>
From: Judy <judy_boli@ecunet.org><br>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic@ecunet.org><br>
Sent: Sun, Apr 5, 2020 11:36 pm<br>
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<br>
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<div style="text-align:justify;">Today, we meditate on the beginning of Jesus’ week of
torture, the week we call Holy Week.<span style=""> </span>We
start with the Palm Sunday episode, when Jesus entered into Jerusalem on the
back of a donkey to adoring crowds.<span style=""> </span>They
expected him to collect an army, be the general, and take over the government
from 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 buy
animals for sacrifice.<span style=""> </span>They were
charging exorbitant prices for sick animals.<span style="">
</span>Those who exchanged Roman money for temple money so peasants could pay
their tithe charged high rates as well.<span style=""> </span>This
was not what the people expected.<span style=""> </span>The
week went from bad to worse, until by Friday (Good Friday to us) a crowd
demanded the freeing of a murderer and the execution of Jesus.<span style=""> </span>My guess is, some of the people in that crowd
were some of the same ones who cheered him on Palm Sunday- talk about two-faced.<span style=""> </span>As we all know, what everyone at the time
thought was the end of Jesus of Nazareth was when he was executed on the top of
a garbage dump/compost heap/Calvary hill between two thieves.<span style=""> </span>There, said the powers that seek to corrupt
and destroy the children of God!<span style=""> </span>That’s
that!<span style=""> </span>God has lost, and we forces of
evil- often called Satan, have won.<span style=""> </span>They
were right for a couple of days, but they forgot something.<span style=""> </span>That was only Friday, but Sunday (Easter
Sunday, the Day of Resurrection) was coming.</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align:justify;">That was then and this is now.<span style=""> </span>We’ve got our own Friday.<span style=""> </span>How in the world can these ancient events
speak to us as we struggle with our anxieties due to this frightening COVID-19 crisis?
When I turn on the TV, I see</div>
<div style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">U<span style="font:7.0pt New;"> </span></span></span>The
numbers of infected and dead going up at a frightening rate. Michigan now has14,225
cases and 540 deaths.</div>
<div style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">U<span style="font:7.0pt New;"> </span></span></span>Temporary
morgues outside of hospitals and in ice skating rinks.</div>
<div style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">U<span style="font:7.0pt New;"> </span></span></span>It’s
hitting home.<span style=""> </span>As of yesterday, Saginaw
had 103 known cases.</div>
<div style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">U<span style="font:7.0pt New;"> </span></span></span>The
number of infected people is probably much higher than that, because most of
the population hasn’t been tested, since we don’t have enough tests.</div>
<div style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">U<span style="font:7.0pt New;"> </span></span></span>There
are frightening news reports that the $1,200 from the federal government may
take longer than expected, and our bills were due the 1<sup>st</sup>.</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align:justify;">If that’s not bad enough, we’re stuck in our homes.<span style=""> </span>As we toss and turn in bed, sometimes we can’t
shut off brains. </div>
<div style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">U<span style="font:7.0pt New;"> </span></span></span>We’re
living day by day in the unknown. The rules keep changing.<span style=""> </span></div>
<div style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font:7.0pt New;">
</span></span></span>We don’t even know who actually is positive for
the disease, since we didn’t plan well at the beginning so we would have enough
tests.</div>
<div style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font:7.0pt New;">
</span></span></span>We DON’S need to wear masks./We DO need to wear
masks. </div>
<div style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font:7.0pt New;">
</span></span></span>When will this be over?<span style=""> </span>Will it come back?</div>
<div style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">U<span style="font:7.0pt New;"> </span></span></span>How
can I possibly manage my finances? </div>
<div style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font:7.0pt New;">
</span></span></span>When will I get back to work? Will my job even
be there?</div>
<div style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font:7.0pt New;">
</span></span></span>How long will the food last?<span style=""> </span></div>
<div style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font:7.0pt New;">
</span></span></span>At lease we don’t have to worry about being evicted
if we can’t pay the rent, because Gov. Whitmer issued an executive order that
bans landlords from evicting their tenants while Michigan is under a State of
Emergency due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.</div>
<div style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">U<span style="font:7.0pt New;"> </span></span></span>What
if I catch COVID-19?</div>
<div style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font:7.0pt New;">
</span></span></span>Will I die?<span style="">
</span>If I do, what will happen to my children, pets, others I love?</div>
<div style="margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font:7.0pt New;">
</span></span></span>How can I protect myself and those I love from
those who are contagious, especially since doctors are telling us that 25% of
those infected have a silent infection- i.e. no symptoms.<span style=""> </span>They don’t even know they’re infected.</div>
<div style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">U<span style="font:7.0pt New;"> </span></span></span>What
about my children and their fears, their attitudes, their education, their
hopes and dreams?</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align:justify;">I’ve got something to remind you.<span style=""> </span>IT’S ONLY FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY’S COMING.<span style=""> </span></div>
<div style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">U<span style="font:7.0pt New;"> </span></span></span>This
will end, with us struggling through to the other side, either on this earth or
in heaven with Jesus.<span style=""> </span>It will decrease,
much sooner if we tolerate being stuck in our houses and stay in them, and if
we obey the experts.<span style=""> </span>They know what they’re
talking about and we only know what we wish or what we’ve heard.</div>
<div style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">U<span style="font:7.0pt New;"> </span></span></span>Our
finances may never be great, but they well be better if we maintain our
serenity and plan and open the bills and make phone calls and use the brains God
gave us.<span style=""> </span>Eventually they will probably
be back to what passes for normal</div>
<div style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">U<span style="font:7.0pt New;"> </span></span></span>If
we seriously practice social distancing, we may not even get COVID-19. If we
do, an estimated guestimate is that 10% will be seriously sick and of those, about
5 % will die. This is a guestimate from a reliable source, but is
take-it-or-leave-it accurate.</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align:justify;">REMEMBER, IT’S FRIDAY.<span style=""> </span>We need to get through Friday. Say your
prayers. <span style=""> </span>Keep informed, but don’t fixate
on the news. Love each other from a distance: call, text, Facebook, etc.<span style=""> </span>Maintain your serenity.<span style=""> </span>Breathe.<span style="">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align:justify;">23<sup>rd</sup> Psalm (King James Version)</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;">1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. </div>
<div style="text-align:justify;">2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he
leadeth me beside the still waters. </div>
<div style="text-align:justify;">3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake. </div>
<div style="text-align:justify;">4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they
comfort me. </div>
<div style="text-align:justify;">5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of
mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. </div>
<div style="text-align:justify;">6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the
days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.</div>
<div style="text-align:justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align:justify;">Church, please remember it’s only Friday.<span style=""> </span>Let’s live our lives so we are ready, because
Sunday’s coming.<span style=""> </span>May God bless us all.<span style=""> </span>Amen.</div>
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