APRIL 2010

Thoughts from the Pastor
One of our Lenten activities has been

watching for God....

Of course, Brennan is right. God is everywhere!

We just don’t always recognize it.

Especially when people are anxious.

Especially when people feel the world is coming apart.

Especially when people get sick.

Especially when bad things happen.

Yes, all of these things (and more!) happen – every day! And when they’re happening, it’s hard to see clearly with the eyes of faith.

We receive those eyes of faith from God. They are a ‘resurrection gift’. Kind of like those 3D glasses at the movies.... only, you don’t physically put them on. We won’t hand you a pair of special specs when you enter – or leave – church. And you don’t get a pair when you die. These eyes of faith are for the living!

The eyes of faith are a gift that grows in us. They help us see the world differently. They help us see ourselves differently! And they help us see what God is doing.

Like I said, you won’t receive a pair of eyes of faith here at church. But, we can help you focus your vision.

In fact, I can offer you some steps to clearer vision – stronger eyes for recognizing God in the world. Consider it a prescription.

Here are several steps:

+First, attend all of the Holy Week Services. Start on Palm Sunday. Do not use Palm Sunday as your complete be-all-and-end-all Holy Week experience. It’s just a foretaste. Palm Sunday is a door into Holy Week. If you try to jump from Palm Sunday to Easter, you are going to miss big stuff. It would be like having this opportunity to climb a mountain, but choosing to take the elevator (try to work with the metaphor). There are essential parts of the journey your won’t even see. And as a result, your eyes of faith will not be as strong.

+Read Three Cups of Tea. This is an amazing book. Greg Mortenson’s journey that led him from trying (unsuccessfully) to summit K2 to building schools in small villages throughout Pakistan (and into Afghanistan) is beyond inspirational. I’d like for many folks to read it – and then join me on April 21 for a discussion of the book. There are copies in our library. I think his experience has important things to say to us about being in ministry. I’ll be eager to hear what you think.

+Be ready to jump in! There are a number of events coming up – ways we will be connecting with the community and more. Plus, if you haven’t yet completed your Time and Talent form and turned it into Dave Ferber, it’s important that you finish it!

There are more things you can do, but this is a good place to start. Now!

I want you to experience that. So get ready! Now!

 In Christ,
Pastor Julianne Smeck