When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,

“Hosanna!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. Mark 11:1-11

It’s been a quiet week at Crown and Cactus Lutheran Church, that little congregation over between Mesa and Gilbert and Chandler. It’s a busy time of the year, and in addition to the weekly events of Lent, the staff and other leaders have been making plans for Holy Week and Easter. The musicians have actually added a second rehearsal to their schedule since each service will be having a particular mood, and music will be one of the most important ingredients. At least that’s how Janice Porter sees it, and she’s been so pleased by the response of her singers. They’re not doing an Easter cantata but every service will have at least two special numbers by the whole choir and there are several opportunities for solo voices too.

Jennie Craster faced a big challenge this week in getting ready for Palm Sunday, probably the most labor intensive festival of the year for her Creative Spaces group. The primary decoration was of course palm branches, but it’s not only the sanctuary area that needs work, she plans on having the outside spaces fully decorated too. This year they’re not only asking people to bring the branches to the church, a whole crew has volunteered to go out and actually do the trimming in people’s yards. When Pastor Baldridge heard that he was appalled! He imagined people donning climber’s gear and climbing high into the trees while holding chainsaws. Surely nothing good could come of that!

Pastor Baldridge has been grateful for the help of Lacey Zeiner this week in getting ready for Palm Sunday. The first part of the service will take place outside and she’s taking responsibility for getting the procession lined up and making sure there isn’t some sort of mad dash into the sanctuary as people enter–everyone wants to make sure that they can get a good seat. One big problem was solved when Brad suggested that the outdoor liturgy be ended with two processions, one of children following a donkey to their Sunday School area, while everyone else would follow the choir into the sanctuary. He’s getting the donkey, a well-trained little guy, from a friend of Jim Briar’s out in Queen Creek, to be delivered on Sunday morning. And Michael Briar, Jim’s son, who knows the donkey well, will be the initial designated rider. Later on, after the service and during fellowship time the donkey will be available to give rides on the back lawn.

While all this planning was going on, mostly without Pastor Baldridge’s input, which is just fine with him, Kyle Ryder stopped in to chat with him this last Tuesday. Kyle wanted to update Pastor Baldridge on his golf ministry and suggest that there be a class offered on golf and the spirit. He’d recently run across a book by F. Scott Peck by that name and had found it most interesting. Peck, who was an avid golfer, suggested in the book that since he found golf to be an extremely difficult sport and intensely humiliating, he only played because he experienced it as an amazing spiritual discipline. Pastor Baldridge listened to Kyle with an amused smile, envisioning what he’d experienced at the last WM Phoenix Open. There hadn’t been much spiritual enlightenment going on in that setting. Kyle rambled on in the way that golfers do when they think they have an appreciative audience until Pastor Baldridge glanced at his watch indicating that the conversation would soon close.

At that point Kyle asked what he thought about starting a class. He said, “I don’t know if you heard, but my cousin, Sam, won over $400,000 at the Players Championship. He’s going to stop in Phoenix to see me after the Masters and I think I could talk him into giving a little skills session here at the church. Or maybe we could use the range at Western Skies–now that snowbirds are going home, they’d likely be glad to host an event.” Pastor Baldridge never says no to innovative ideas, but he came very close here. He doesn’t see the relationship between golf and spiritual enlightenment. In his book, when things get frustrating, the best thing to do is stop doing them. But he’s a nice guy and told Kyle to go ahead and see what he could work out. 

As Kyle was leaving, he took an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Pastor Baldridge. He said, “Sam has some friends in Florida who play on the women’s tour and he got 4 tickets to the LPGA tournament that is going to be played here in Gilbert. Since he can’t fly out, he sent them to me, and now I’d like you to have them–I’d already gotten mine.” 

Pastor Baldridge said thanks and tossed the envelope on his desk. He’d give them to someone who cared. Later on, just before going home for lunch he looked at the dates, and then he laughed to himself. The tournament was being held on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. It was just what a busy pastor needed! 

Lacey Zeiner found herself almost dreading going to her weekly gathering at the Sun Devil Tavern on Thursday evening. The experience with Syd last week had taken her totally by surprise. Never had she ever imagined being a messiah figure for anyone. She knew she had spiritual gifts and was grateful to be able to use them in her ministry at Crown and Cactus. She genuinely loved people and was happy when her presence sparked joy in others. Still at times she did worry that it might go to her head. She deeply prized humility and didn’t want to think more highly of herself than she ought.

She had mentioned these things to Pastor Baldridge shortly after his meeting with Kyle Ryder and he had just laughed. He said, “Why don’t you start playing golf? I’ve heard it’s an easy way to experience humiliation and frustration. You might try it as a balance to what you are doing on Mill Avenue.” Lacey had been surprised by what he said and assumed he was joking–which he was. He just said to go with the flow and see what happens. He thought the aura would rub off soon.

So Thursday she and Brad made their way to the Sun Devil Tavern to see what surprises awaited them. Well, they found immediately that Syd had continued his witnessing ministry, the call he had claimed for himself and assumed to have come from the Spirit. He’d been visiting with people all week as he’d continued looking for work. So far a job had eluded him–employers didn’t seem to be impressed by his recent stay in the Clark County Jail in Las Vegas. All he ‘d been able to find were some day labor stints doing clean-up and trimming. And of course, there’d been a few gigs filling in for drummers in various bands. But he had a lot of contacts–and his newfound enthusiasm for the gospel was infectious. The place was packed with young people and older hippie types when Lacey walked in and a cheer erupted.

She spent the next half hour mixing with newcomers, listening to stories, and trying to find room for the musicians to stand. It was so crowded, and even if folks went out in the patio area there still wasn’t enough room–and they all wanted to stand close to Lacey. Finally Brad said in her ear, “Let’s walk down to the park. It’s a nice night and folks can sit on the grass.” So that’s what they did.

Brad went ahead to find a spot and Lacey said, “Follow me!” As the group walked along the sidewalk they attracted lots of attention. Chris and Niles strummed their guitars and led some familiar songs, and lots of the people sang along. It was like being part of a parade. A police car pulled alongside and Syd recognized the officer. She was like an old friend now and Syd had spoken to her several times in the last week or so. He’d found out that she was the reigning Miss Arizona, and she had been intrigued by his witness. This night, after Syd told her what they were doing she’d even turned on the flashing lights and guided them on the way. When they got to Tempe Town Lake Park they went to the area Brad had found and settled in. 

It really was a wonderful setting. They sang some songs, a few offered testimonies, and after a bit Lacey stepped to the front. She read the story of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and then talked about mixed expectations. The crowd had wanted to exult Jesus as king but he had chosen the role of a humble servant. He’d acted that out by riding on a donkey, but the people hadn’t been able to see it. They wanted glory and dominance–but that’s not what they got from Jesus.

Then Lacey spoke quite directly of her ministry and their expectations of her. She said, “I’m not Jesus, and I’m not sure that who I am is what you want.”

Someone shouted out, “We know that, and we do want you!”

A girl screamed, “Three cheers for Lacey,” and they all started chanting her name. 

When she could get them to quiet down she said, “Okay, I’ll be Lacey…I hope you aren’t disappointed.” They closed the evening with prayers. In the growing darkness names and concerns were freely offered. Lacey had an amazing ability to remember prayer needs and she mentioned them all as their time together came to an end.

As the group gradually dispersed, the police officer, who had remained until the end, called Lacey over to her car. She said, “I’m letting this go tonight because I assumed it was unplanned, but I need you to know that if you continue to use the park, you will need to apply for a permit.” Lacey just sighed and said, “Thanks for helping us tonight and for letting us know. I just don’t know what the future holds. We don’t have a plan.”

On their way back to their apartment Brad said, “If I’d known this was going to happen, I could have arranged to get the donkey for tonight. It would have been perfect for you to ride from the tavern to the park.”

Lacey hit him on the shoulder as he started to laugh. She was remembering that Jesus’ triumphant entry had been followed almost immediately by rejection and crucifixion. She wondered what lay ahead for her! Not wanting to spoil Brad’s merry moment, she kept those thoughts to herself.

That’s the word from Crown and Cactus Lutheran Church, where all the men are committed, the women are faithful, and the children are all growing in grace.