The Garden Tomb.  

At the time, gardens were common places for burial tombs or caves to be found.  The unused garden tomb where Jesus was placed belonged to Joseph of Arimathea – a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin and, as John’s gospel describes him, a secret disciple of Jesus.  It was situated beside Golgotha, the scene of Jesus’ crucifixion and death.   When Mary Magdalene came by to attend to Jesus’ body – she found the tomb empty. 

This is the account in John, chapter 20, beginning in verse 11.  ‘Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in.  She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying.  “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”  She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him.  “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”  She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”’  

Then Jesus said something that changed Mary forever – He called her by name.  

It is beyond imagination to enter into this scene with Jesus and Mary.  The level of despair that Mary was experiencing—she hadn’t just lost her teacher, her mentor, her dear friend, she had lost all hope.  Her world was upside down.  And she did the only thing that she knew to do.  She went to him.  She went to his body.  And in her despair—he called out to her BY NAME.  Just as he calls us to each of us BY NAME, saying, “ I know you, I have claimed you.”  Romans 8 verse 39 says, “nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Are you in a place of despair or are you just in a place of day to day busyness?  His promise to us is the same:  he will never leave us and that is a promise that we can count on.  He overcame death and the grave and met us in the garden—calling out to us by name.  

Heavenly Father, when we think of your promises and the tenacious way that you keep them for us, we can not despair but rather be renewed and encouraged.  

Thank you Lord!  

Genesis 2 explains that after God created man, he planted a garden in Eden and there he placed the man he had made.  Beginning in verse 9 the Bible says…”The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  A river flowed from the land of Eden, watering the garden and then dividing into four branches. The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.”  

Even at the very beginning of our story with God, he is a tender caretaker and provider for our needs.  It is easy for us to get caught up in our own self sufficiency—we think that we have everything “taken care of,” and we give ourselves credit, but the truth is that “everything” is and always has been in God’s sweet care-taking hands.  It is the very nature of God to be our provider (a much better provider than we could be for ourselves).  

Today we encourage you to think about the ways that God has and continues to provide for you and give thanks for that beautiful part of your relationship with Him.  Heavenly Father, we recognize it is your nature to be our provider.  Thank you for that tender part of your nature that nurtures and cares for us.  

In Jesus name, Amen.  

The Garden Leadership Team, 
Julie Putnik, Amy Dingle, Susan Hagen  

The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength.

You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

Six years ago when we started THE GARDEN, we chose this passage as the theme verse for our women’s ministry because it contains such great encouragement about God’s faithfulness.

A well-watered garden is a beautiful picture of what God imagines for our lives of faith – a lush, vibrant place where we are never left to wilt and never zapped of the strength needed to love God and serve others well.

We see two valuable messages in this amazing encouragement. First is to recognize God as our gardener and the ultimate source for everything we need. The God who has no needs, recognizes our needs and always provides. This requires us to trust God despite our own desire to be self-sufficient and self-reliant.

Second, we need to stay planted. One of the things we emphasis at our garden gatherings is our ongoing need for community – we need to be a part of weekly gatherings and regular small groups, we need to encourage each other and support one another, we need to share with each other our stories of God’s faithfulness. We are always better together as a sisterhood and as a church.

So today think of yourself as the well-watered garden the gardener God made you to be and thank Him for giving you everything you need to flourish and grow right where you are.

As Memorial Day approaches, our hearts turn to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, laying down their lives for others. In John 15:13, Jesus teaches us about the greatest expression of love—selflessly giving oneself for the sake of others. This profound truth echoes through the ages, resonating not only in the heroic deeds of soldiers but also in the sacrificial love of Christ on the cross.

In a world often characterized by self-interest and division, the message of love stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. It reminds us that our purpose on this earth is intricately tied to our capacity to love one another. Just as Jesus laid down His life for us, we are called to emulate His love by serving and sacrificing for those around us. This Memorial Day, let us honor the memory of the fallen by embodying the selfless love that they exemplified, and may we never forget that love is why we are here.

Partnering Together,
Shahna Clark
EMS Assistant Principal

In the bustling tapestry of life, amid its trials and triumphs, there exists a profound truth that we often overlook: love is why we are here. In the book of Philippians, we are reminded of the exuberant call to rejoice, to be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s an invitation to embrace the divine essence of love that permeates our existence.

Imagine life as a grand symphony orchestrated by the hands of a loving Creator. Each note, each melody, resonates with the boundless love that breathes life into our souls. In the moments of laughter and in the depths of tears, love is the guiding force that sustains us. So let us heed the words of Philippians 4:4-7 with hearts wide open, allowing the joy of love to overflow and illuminate every corner of our being.

In every sunrise that paints the sky with hues of hope, in every gentle breeze that whispers words of peace, let us find reasons to rejoice. For love has woven itself into the very fabric of our existence, and it is love that empowers us to face each day with courage and gratitude. So let us dance to the rhythm of love, letting our joy overflow as a testament to the divine grace that surrounds us always.

Partnering Together,
Shahna Clark
EMS Assistant Principal

“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Each day is a precious gift from God, a fresh canvas on which we can paint acts of love, kindness, and faith. When we wake up each morning, we are granted a new opportunity to experience God’s grace and to reflect His love to the world. It’s easy to get bogged down by our routines, worries, and the busyness of life, but this verse reminds us to pause and rejoice in the moment. Embracing today with gratitude allows us to see the beauty in the ordinary and the divine in the mundane.

At the core of our existence is love—God’s love for us, our love for Him, and the love we share with others. Love is why we are here. Jesus commanded us to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34). When we choose to rejoice and be glad in each day, we acknowledge not just the gift of the day itself but also the purpose behind it: to live out love. Let us carry this truth in our hearts as we go through today, finding joy in small blessings and sharing that joy through acts of kindness and compassion. As we do, we fulfill our highest calling and reflect the heart of God to the world around us.

Partnering Together,
Shahna Clark
EMS Assistant Principal

In the midst of acknowledging the perfection of God’s plan, it’s essential to remember that at the heart of His divine design lies love. God’s plan is not just about orchestrating events and outcomes; it’s about manifesting His boundless love for each of us.

As stated in 1 John 4:8, “God is love.” Love is not merely an attribute of God but defines His very essence. It’s the driving force behind creation, redemption, and restoration. We exist because of love—God’s love for us and our capacity to love Him and one another.

In embracing the truth of God’s perfect plan, we also embrace His perfect love. It’s this love that sustains us through life’s trials, comforts us in moments of despair, and ultimately leads us into His eternal embrace. So as we navigate the intricacies of God’s plan, let’s do so with hearts attuned to His love, knowing that love is why we are here and love will guide us every step of the way.

Partnering Together,
Shahna Clark
EMS Assistant Principal