March 23, 2022
For the first time in a long time, I am experiencing the early days of Spring without praying for rain because of an ongoing drought. Though some people may tire of Cascadia’s dark and drizzly days, I do not take them for granted. So many in our country and around the world are struggling to find adequate water, while we grumble about having too much of it. Which only serves to remind us that there are two sides to a coin.
With Spring now underway and our Lenten journey halfway over, life is becoming busier. Here are some items I would like to hi-lite for your attention, so they don’t slip by you on these busy days. First, with Lent half over, we have only 6 open slots for reflections on the Psalms. If you haven’t offered a reflection, I encourage you to do so. This is a helpful way to share a glimpse of your spiritual journey while encouraging others on their journey. I hope you would agree, that it is a grace to receive these reflections at the start of each day. Thank you for all who have already contributed.
Of course, the midway point of Lent also means we are quickly nearing Easter—and Easter Lillies. If you would like to order lilies please fill out the form found as you enter our church and place it in the collection plate. Cost is $15 per Lilly and payment can be cash, check payable to the church, or payment through our Breeze portal. Thank you for adding to our celebration of the Resurrection in this way.
On Ash Wednesday, considering the news of the world, I invited our church to consider Lent this year a season to contemplate on, and pray for, peace and justice. The last two Sundays of Lent this year will provide us with a special opportunity to do just that. James Amadon, a Covenant Pastor, and Executive Director of Circlewood will offer us a chance to consider what creation care might look like through the lens of God’s peace and justice. Information about those sessions is below.
In Lent, we consider what it means to live our baptismal vows as a disciple of Christ. Along with the prayers, longings, and self-reflections that we offer to God in Lent, we have the celebration of God’s promises in Easter. Easter celebrates both the fulfillment of God’s covenant in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, and the promises of God’s redemption yet to be fulfilled. Both are signs of new life. A sign of this new life in this season in the life of our church is the return of our church softball team. Information about softball for fans and players alike is also below.
We have much to thank God for at this time, even as we fervently pray for God’s peace, justice, and redemption to be more obvious in our world. There are truly two sides to the coin of this season: despair and hope, death and resurrection. And so I thank God for you all—in the midst of these most challenging days—for the grace and encouragement you have afforded me, and for your generosity and care towards our church and its ministries.
Blessings on your ongoing journey to the Cross this Lent.
Pastor Todd