Grace to Open Our Eyes [2026.03.21 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald]

Hopewell Herald – March 21, 2026

Dear Congregation,

The experience of Cleopas and his friend, in Luke 24, is amazing in many ways—especially the conversation on the way:

Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Luke 24:25–27

So much could be said. But what I’m marveling at is that “their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him” (v16).

These are two of those who followed Him (v13). They’re not unregenerate; they’re not spiritually dead. Yet, their eyes are restrained.

Then Jesus speaks to them in a way that is very characteristic of Himself. “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” Yet, their eyes are restrained.

And Jesus makes a point that He had been characteristically teaching them. “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” Yet, their eyes are restrained.

Then, Jesus does one of the things most characteristic of His ministry. “Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Yet, their eyes are restrained.

Finally, after He breaks bread, and blesses it, and breaks it, and gives it to them (v30), their eyes are opened (v31).

The fact that their eyes could be restrained through so many things that very obviously revealed Him as Jesus is instructive to us. In our continuing weakness and fleshliness, we are capable of a great deal of spiritual blindness.

How much we need His grace! And how wonderful that, whether it’s over-against this blindness, or against recurring worldliness, God gives more grace (cf. Ja 4:4–6).

Looking forward to worshiping Him together by His grace,

Pastor

Audio lessons to help you prepare for the Lord’s Day:

▪Theology Simply Explained — CC44, God's Elect, in and for Christ 
▪Theology Simply Explained — WSC21, Only the God-Man Can Redeem
▪Song of Songs 7:1–9a, “The Bride’s Crowning Beauties”
▪Deuteronomy 31:14–29, “Witnesses from God for Our Good”
▪Mark 1:12–20, “Humble Savior of Lowly People”
▪Nahum 1:7–11, “YHWH Our Stronghold”
▪Song of Songs 7:9b–13, “Delighting to Delight Jesus”

LORD'S DAY – March 22, 2026 

9:50 a.m. Breakfast Line Opens

10 a.m. Sabbath School
We are preparing our minds and hearts for public worship by studying our Confession of Faith from Scripture, affirming that Scripture is our only ultimate authority, but also discovering that what we confess is thoroughly Scriptural.

11 a.m. Public Worship

▫Children’s Catechism for March 22. Q44 Whom did Christ represent in the covenant of grace? His elect people. [CC 44 Simply Explained: “God's Elect in Christ, for Christ”]

▫Shorter Catechism for March 22. Q21. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect? The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, Who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one Person, forever. [WSC 21 Simply Explained: “Only the God-Man Can Redeem”]

▫Songs for public worship on March 22: TPH405 [mp3], ARP108A [mp3], ARP7B [mp3]

Scripture Text for first portion of worship service
Song of Songs 7:1–9a

Scripture Readings and basis for confession of sin and petition for help
Deuteronomy 31:14–29
Mark 1:12–20

Sermon Scripture text and topic
We will be hearing the sermon from Nahum 1:7–11 about “Destruction Reserved for the Wicked”

Lord’s Supper! (Please see the section at the end of the Worship Booklet on how rightly to prepare for and take it).

1 p.m. Coffee Fellowship and Catechism Class

1:30 p.m. Fellowship Lunch
▫Memory Verse for March 22, Nahum 1:7, YHWH is good, a Stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.

3:00 p.m. Evening Praise and Preaching
We will be singing at least ten Psalm selections and hearing the sermon from Song of Songs 7:9b–13 about “Giving the Beloved Her Love”

Hopewell this Month

Hopewell’s Presbytery Prayer Focus for March
New Days ARP in Duluth, GA

March Psalm of the Month
ARP108A God, My Heart Is Steadfast

Upcoming Events

• Wednesday, March 25, Midweek Prayer Meeting. 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel. We will hear a sermon from Proverbs 22:22–23:11 then pray until 8 p.m.
• Saturday, March 28, Men’s (and future men) breakfast, 7a in the Fellowship Hall
• Saturday, March 28, Church Workday, 8:30a
• Thursday, April 2, Diaconate Meeting, 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 22, Session Meeting, 8 p.m. in the Pastor’s Study