Impact

We shortened class by a few minutes, so Shelly and I could go upstairs and do our roles for this Sunday. This was something special, but we didn't really know any of the details, just that Pastor Jeff had asked us if we could greet and pass a few thing out. Jeremy prayed and we quickly got upstairs.

Shelly had already seen it, but I peeked through the glass to try to figure out what we were in for. Rope could be seen running from the ceiling and down toward the organ and piano. On the floor a black cloth covered a large object which went from mid stage to just in front of the first row of chairs.

Red ribbons. That was our job. In addition to greeting people and giving the bulletins, we were to had out red ribbons to everyone who got by Larry and April, who Harding them out closer to the door. As the people cam in, Got my routine down. "You are going to need one of these for the service," I would say, "I don't know what it is for, but be sure not to loose it." or "They won't tell us what it is. For either.". Slowly we made sure everyone there got a little red ribbons.

Service started with a few changes in the order of things, but the giant black object set on the floor, unmentioned. We held our ribbons waiting.

Jeff talked about the thirst Jesus had on the cross, the thirst which was quenched, just briefly, with a sponge of sour wine. A thirst they quenched, not in mercy, but to prolong his pain. He talked about the a time before when Jesus had expressed his thirst, with the Samaritan woman, a request that led to an explanation of the living water, which he could provide. Would provide. Is providing.

The connection was clear, but there was one more piece. See that living water quenches the parched feeling of being trapped by sin, the heat of those you know being lost, it is the refreshment you get from God, an intimate connection made on the cross.

Pastor Jeff described the red ribbons as the sins we wanted to give to Jesus, the burdens we had for those lost in out lives, the needs which seemed to be unfulfilled. In a way, they were the thirst which need living water to sate them. When they pulled back the cloth from the object on the floor, most of had an idea what it was. The twenty foot tall wood cross looked like it had been aged with fire. Into the front of to we're row after row of nails, they covered the mast and cross beam. The ribbons had little slits in them.

I just a few minutes rows of people filled the center aisle of the sanctuary, trying to get to the front where they could place their sins and needs on the cross. When it was hoisted into the air, it towered nearly to the ceiling. It dripped red with the requested left by all of us. A thirst quenched with living waters.

This was the impact of Impact Sunday.