"It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away,
the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to
you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and
righteousness and judgment..."

Jesus continues:

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them
now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the
truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. Jesus
also prays for his disciples and for those who will believe because
of their testimony."

The Acts of Thursday continue in a Garden. Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden called Gethsemane, which he and his disciples entered. Then he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, and said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.”

Three times Jesus prayed, and three times he surrendered himself to God’s will. Then his betrayer arrived with a guard, and after a brief show of bravado, all the disciples forsook Jesus and fled. Jesus was in the hands of the enemy. Yet, it was the Father’s will. All that he now does, he does for all of us, including those who arrested, condemned and crucified him.

The passion hymn declares:

Lord, may we not fall away 
Failing in our lives to pray. 
Keep us close to your blessed side, 
There may we in love abide;
Ever with the ransomed sing 
Grateful praises to our King.

You can find an online Communion Service here. You may use any elements that you have handy and think appropriate. Only you will know, and God.

Email frieschurch6@gmail.com if you would like to be part of a Zoom Meeting Communion live at 6:30 p.m. The pastor will email you a link to the meeting.

God bless you!

The Pastor