Pastor’s Note 3/10/22

“Out of t“Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.”

Psalm 130:1, 2

 

As I read these verses, I can’t help but think of the cries of the people of the Ukraine. Today, millions of people have been displaced from their homes, millions are refugees. The invasion and war by a foreign country has caused millions to cry out and we cry with them.
 
If you read the rest of the Psalm (and let me encourage you to do that) you read that in the Lord there is hope. Mercy can be found in Him. He can redeem times when it seems like there is no hope.
 
The situation in the Ukraine cries out to the Lord. We along with millions of others cry out to the Lord to be heard. We cry out for mercy. We cry out for peace. We cry out for hope.
 
You may be going through a personal crisis where you cry out these same words. In your particular situation you may cry out to be heard, you cry out for mercy, for peace, for hope. May you, as you cry out and as your soul waits, sense the hope that can only come through Jesus.
 
Know that I am praying for you and join me as we pray for the people of the Ukraine.
 
See you on Sunday.

he depths I have cried to You, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.”

Psalm 130:1, 2

 




Pastor’s Note – 03/06/22

The Season of Lent

In March, we will mark the start of Spring but this year we will also mark the beginning of Lent, the forty-day season of reflection and preparation for the death and resurrection of Jesus.  
 
This year, it begins with Ash Wednesday (March 2) and continues through to Holy Week and Easter on Sunday April 17. (Technically, Lent comprises the 40 days before Easter, not counting the Sundays, or 46 days in total.) It is a time when members of the Christian Church, (in a variety of traditions – Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant) take time to reflect upon their lives as one approaches Easter.
 

Ancient Days

In the ancient church, Lent was a time for new converts to be instructed for baptism.  And for believers caught in sin to focus on repentance. In time, all Christians came to see Lent as a season to be reminded of their need for penitence and to prepare spiritually for the celebration of Easter.  Part of this preparation involved the Lenten “fast,” giving up something special during the six weeks of Lent. 
 

Modern Times

Today there are a variety of ways by which a Christ follower can prepare for Easter during the Lenten season.  One way can be a “fast,” giving up something as a spiritual discipline.  It could be anything from a certain food like meat, chocolate or caffeine. Consider an additional spiritual discipline.   Or perhaps doing something individually or as a covenant with a group. 
 
This year, may Lent be a new experience to deepen your walk with Christ to the Cross