Something feels different about today. I don’t mean that just from the standpoint of how Palm Sunday “feels” in contrast to the quieter days of Lent. I also mean it “feels” different from the tone of Jesus’ whole ministry. Here is what I’m driving at. Early in Jesus’ ministry, he heals a man with leprosy. The account is in Mark 1. After healing the man Jesus gave him a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone.” (Mark 1:43-44) Jesus very sternly told this man to keep a lid on things! A similar event takes place in Mark 9. Jesus heals two blind men. Again, we are told: Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” (Mark 9:30) This has sometimes been referred to as “the Messianic secret.” Jesus carefully “curated” how and how much information about himself he wanted proclaimed.

Today’s Worship was lead by Pastor Michael Kampman from Risen Savior Lutheran Church, McFarland.

Today’s Worship  was lead by Pastor Scott Schwertfeger of Zion Lutheran Church, Leeds.

Most of you know that in the Old Testament the Lord made a covenant with his people that required various sacrifices. Among all the sacrifices in the Old Testament is one we may often overlook. It was called the “drink offering.” Drink offerings were to be a part of burnt offerings. The drink offering involved pouring out some wine at the base of the altar. As mentioned, it was connected to the burnt offering. That means that every single morning when a lamb was offered at the Temple as a burnt offering for Israel, and when every day ended with another lamb sacrifice, a priest stood and poured out wine at the base of the altar.

The other day I ran across this “Pre-Travel Checklist.” It is supposed to be a helpful tool for someone about to travel somewhere. It contains nearly sixty things you need to do before you travel. Before travel, you should “clear fridge of perishable items” and “water house plants” and “charge electronic devices.” As I said, it recommends sixty things you MUST DO to travel.