Did you know that 2023 marks the 250th anniversary of the hymn, “Amazing Grace?”  “It was penned by English poet and Anglican clergyman John Newton to accompany a sermon he preached on New Year’s Day, 1773.  Newton wrote the words of ‘Amazing Grace’ from his own personal experience.  In 1748 while Newton served as a sea captain of a ship in the Atlantic slave trade, a violent storm off the coast of Ireland struck his vessel so severely that he called out to God for mercy.  This moment marked Newton’s turning toward God, what he called ‘the hour I first believed.’  Eventually leaving sailing behind, Newton then began studying Christian theology and was ordained in the Church of England in 1764.  Today ‘Amazing Grace’ remains one of the most recognizable songs in the English-speaking world.” (from Amazing Grace:  Celebrating 250 Years by Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, Inc. © 2023.  All rights reserved).  At this year’s Maundy Thursday service, we will commemorate the 250th year of “Amazing Grace.”  We will sing the classic hymn as it was written along with a contemporary version.  We will view a presentation by Wintley Phipps who will explain some historical and spiritual insights about this hymn.  Pastor Jensen’s meditation will focus on God’s “Amazing Grace” (of course!).  In addition to these things, we will remember Jesus in a special way by sharing in the Ordinances of the Lord’s Supper and Feetwashing.  So come out this Maundy Thursday – April 6, 2023 at 7:00 PM to learn, to worship, to remember Jesus in the Ordinances and to celebrate and commemorate God’s “Amazing Grace!”