On Monday, March 26, Iowa citizens, Capitol staff, and elected representatives gathered in the Rotunda of the Iowa Capitol for a worship service at the beginning of the “Holy Week” leading up to Easter.
The FAMiLY LEADER’s Vice President of Church Engagement Greg Baker explained prior the service that bringing worship into the halls of government can be a healing balm, particularly in such divisive times.
“In today’s culture we focus so much on what divides us,” Baker said. “Let us turn to what unites us: We can turn to our Savior Jesus Christ. This message of redemption has and will continue to transcend time, culture, class, race, and everything else that divides us. It reminds us that no matter who we are, what we do, or where we live … we all need Jesus’ saving grace.”
Pastor Dan Berry of Cornerstone Family Church in Des Moines echoed the theme of reconciliation in his message from Matthew 22.
“The Sadducees thought it was about the law, the Pharisees thought it was about the law, everyone thought it was about the law,” Pastor Berry said. “The [Sadducees and Pharisees] were the lawmakers of their day, and like today, they became so polarized, they forgot the reason for their leadership. … But Jesus said the first and greatest commandment was to love the Lord your God with your whole heart, then love your neighbor as yourself, and all the law hangs on these two commandments.”
Watch a short video recap of the service below:
