|  That's one of the senses we don't talk about much in church...smell. But as we gathered for worship this past weekend, the smell of incense filled the air. While that's a bit unusual for Lutherans, it was for a particular purpose. In our Gospel reading, we heard how "the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume" that Mary anointed Jesus' feet with...an extravagant response of gratitude for the extravagant love she and her brother Lazarus received from Jesus. But that fragrance wasn't limited to Mary's house. That sweet smell was the smell of the "new thing" God was doing (Isaiah 43:19) in Jesus who died and rose for the sake of the world that we might have hope, forgiveness and new life. Now, let me digress a little. This used to happen more regularly years ago, but also occasionally yet today. After I would come home and greet my wife, she would sometimes say to me, "Have you been around a smoker?" She could smell the smoke on me. That made me think...what if someone would say to you, "Have you been around....Jesus? I smell....forgiveness, truth, hope, peace, love." The sweet smell of the "new thing" God is doing in Jesus continues to filter it's way into every corner of God's creation yet today. Do you smell it? Do you smell like it? And finally, on a personal note, so many thanks for all the kind words and words of congratulations regarding the 37th Anniversary of my ordination yesterday, March 17. Couldn't think of a better place to be than here with all of you on a wonderful Sunday morning like yesterday. So grateful. As we get closer to Holy Week, we have our last mid week Lenten services this Wednesday at 11am and 7pm, with soup and salad meals. Coming up this weekend is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. Our children will be in procession with palms and singing in worship, we will hear the beginning of the Passion Story and begin our journey into Holy Week. See the schedule below for the Holy Week and Easter services and activities. May these closing days of Lent be days of renewal and faith building for you. See you in church. Pastor Jack Diehl + www.OurSaviorELCA.com | 
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