“My house shall be called a house of prayer”

By / April 3, 2012
About this image: This image of Christ cleansing the Temple comes from an old glass slide system that predated film slides. A set of these slides turned up as we explored old church files and records. I will post others that tell more of the story of Holy Week and we will research the history of how these slides were used as part of Caldwell's Christian education ministry.

Dear Caldwell,

As we continue to focus on the events of Holy Week, we recall that one of the first stops Jesus made after his entry into Jerusalem was at the Temple. The Temple was the center of life in “the City of David” and Jesus took offense that commercial activities had drawn too close to the inner sanctum of God’s house.

Matthew 21:12-13 reads:

Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves.

He said to them, ‘It is written,
“My house shall be called a house of prayer”;
but you are making it a den of robbers.’

At Caldwell,  Christ’s reclaiming of the Temple as a “house of prayer” has special meaning to us this week. It was 100 years ago this week when the church elders met for the first time.  So it is fitting that in this Holy Week we will prepare for the church’s second century by going to God in prayer.

Beginning tomorrow at 2 pm through Thursday at 2 pm, Caldwell members and friends will occupy the sanctuary and engage in a variety of prayerful activities and disciplines.  In all, 60 of you have signed up for one of more of the hours of the vigil. What a powerful demonstration of your desire to draw close to God for guidance in this holiest of all weeks and at this pivotal moment in Caldwell’s history! If you would like to register, contact Beth Van Gorp or just show up.

Also, the last of the Elizabeth Communities of Faith Lenten services will take place at noon tomorrow at St. Martin’s, followed by a simple soup lunch.

Then, Thursday at 7:30 pm, we will gather for the moving Maundy Thursday service in which we will offer the service of Tenebrae, a series of readings that portray the passion of Christ.

Thanks to all who helped make Sunday such a rich day – from our Fellowship Committee that put on another great breakfast, to all who helped with worship to those who fed the neighbors at Caldwell House afterward. I promised to pass on the words of Zach Thomas’ original hymn that our kids sang. They are below. Thanks Zach – a great gift to God and to us.

Sing together, morning stars — Aleluia!

Shout for joy, ocean waves — Praise the Lord!
Trees clap your hands — Let us clap, clap, clap!
Hills dance like rams — Let us clomp, clomp, clomp!
The earth makes a joyful noise,
O, the earth makes a joyful noise.

May God be with you there.

In Christ,

John