A Shout of Hope
John 12:13
Matthew 21:9
Mark 11:9-10
Pastor Jerry Koller

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, which was a fulfillment of prophecy:

As Jesus and His disciples proceeded to Jerusalem, they were met by individuals who were honoring Jesus by laying their garments on the ground for the beasts to travel over and cutting down branches from trees and spreading them in a festive way along the road.

From a study of God's word, from Church history, and from studying the history of Israel, we know that there were many who were disappointed with Christ's entrance.

As the multitude saw Jesus approaching, many went out to meet Him shouting declarations of praise.

Hosannah is a transliteration of the Hebrew words “hoshiya na.”
• It is found just once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 118:25, where it means, "Save, please!"
• Over time, it became a shout of hope and exultation.
• Gradually, it came to mean, "Salvation! Salvation! Salvation has come!"

From the Old Testament hymn book, the psalmist states:

The raising up of hands in worship is a thoroughly biblical practice of worship, as seen in the Old Testament and carried on into the New Testament, Church Age.
• It is an expression of receiving. (See Ps. 88:9)
• Give us this day our daily bread. (Matt. 6:11)
• Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. (1 Timothy 2:8)
• Outstretched hands represent giving. (See Psalm 134:1-20; Nehemiah 8:6)
• Open hands are a symbolic expression of a lack of deceitfulness or a lack of deceptiveness. It expresses total Submission.

It is possible to do all the right things and still miss hitting the target if our hearts are not right before God.

• Vincent Bryant (Miriam Bryant's son) is hospitalized due to a foot infection.
• From Tracy Marshall: A friend and 5th grade classmate of Nolan's at Brown Elementary passed away on 4/6 after suffering from an epileptic seizure. Please pray for the boy's family, especially his twin brother who attends Brown as well. Please also pray for all of the students and staff at the school as they navigate their grief.
• Tabitha Goodale (friend of Stan & Jean Robinson) has been diagnosed with thyroid and throat cancer.
• Carson & Bailey Finch who are celebrating the birth of their first child, Charlotte Jane, who arrived on 3/28.
• Marialice Quinn (former FBC member) has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
• Jeremy Price is recovering from back surgery.
• Bill Foskett Sr. (Bill Foskett's dad) was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, a rare aggressive cancer in muscle cells. He is determining treatment options.
• James Thomas (friend of Bruce & Vasha Ferguson) has been diagnosed with ascites, a very serious disease often associated with cirrhosis.
• Louann Pranger (Tracy Marshall's mom) continues to recover from a C Diff infection
• Derrick (grandson of Bruce & Vasha Ferguson) is recovering from a stroke.
• Curt Bales has returned home and continues to recover from a broken knee.
• Vasha Ferguson is recovering from parathyroid surgery.
• Miriam Bryant is having difficulty with both of her hands being numb, tingly, and extremely painful. Please pray that her doctor can find something to help alleviate the discomfort.
• Beth Bocock continues to recover from ulcerative colitis.
• Judy Jones (wife of Pastor Grady Jones/friend of Pastor Jerry) is recovering from a successful surgery and doctors believe they removed all of the cancer. She is waiting for biopsy results to decide how to proceed with treatment.
• Lennon McKamey (son of Kyle & Sarah) needs surgery on his shoulder. Please pray that preparing for surgery goes smoothly.
• Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com