Wednesday, March 12, 2024
Hello,
I’m not sure about you but the days just seem to be going by so quickly right now. It is less than 3 weeks to Easter and during Holy Week we have 6 services:
Palm Sunday at 10 am
Evening worship at 7 pm on Palm Sunday – a Vigil for the people in Gaza and all those who are victims of war and violence
Mid Day Pause Lenten worship on Wednesday March 27 at 12 noon hosted by St. Peters 4
Maundy Thursday at 6 pm – please note you need to sign up for this – this is joint with St. Peter’s
https://standrewskw.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2189727
Good Friday at 11:00 am
And Easter Sunday morning at 10:00 – a joint service with St. Peters with breakfast at 8:30 am. Please sign up below
https://standrewskw.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2203864
So, my head is spinning a little bit. But that is normal for Lent. As we have said, Lent is a deeply spiritual season of the church year. We try to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, particularly as he journeys towards the cross and is increasingly consumed by the horror of what is to come. He knows in a few short weeks the powers that be will do something. He knows he will be arrested. He knows he will be put to death. He tries to tell his disciples about it, but they just don’t seem to understand – or want to hear it.
As we journey through Lent, we are reminded that the suffering of Jesus for us today is an experience of God’s solidarity with people who suffer each and every day. The body of Jesus beaten and broken is in solidarity with those who are beaten and broken. The blood of Jesus poured out is in solidarity with those whose blood has been spilled. When anyone dies, they are not alone. God dies with them – only to be resurrected once again. It is a powerful story we re-enact every Lent to tell us that love and compassion are stronger than the forces of war, violence, and hatred.
And so we continue to ‘give things up for Lent’ as a means of journeying with Jesus and in solidarity with those who suffer both in our community and around the world. This coming Sunday, we will recognize Lent as Perseverance. We will hear about the work of the House of Friendship and how they have persevered over the years to work with some of society’s most vulnerable citizens. And we will talk about how we can continue to journey with the House of Friendship in the Adopt a Room project.
To recognize the work of perseverance I invite you to consider to give up the following:
Day 25 of Lent – Wednesday, March 13 – please give up ‘giving up’ for God never gives up on us
Day 26 of Lent – Thursday, March 14 – please give up ‘destructive speech’ – it may feel cathartic at first, but it stays deep within, it adds to residual guilt and blocks effective movement towards healing with the person or persons you are struggling with. Instead, persevere in love and find the courage to talk to the person you struggle with
Day 27 of Lent – Friday, March 15 – please give up ‘going through the motions’ – intentionality in what we do is not always possible. We need time to break, to rest, to let go. But it is true that the more we invest ourselves in something, the more we receive in return. However, it means risking – sometimes we receive nothing in return. Please consider taking the risks
Day 28 of Lent – Saturday, March 16 – please give up ‘distractions’ – yes we all need distractions at times, they are helpful and healthy, but constantly distracting ourselves so that we don’t have to deal with the ‘stuff’ of life can become a habit. Find the courage to deal with what you have to deal with – and yes, once again it takes perseverance
The Fifth Sunday of Lent is all about perseverance – modeled on Jesus’ life and ministry and what Jesus reveals about God – God’s love, care, compassion, forgiveness and grace perseveres in all things
Day 29 of Lent – Monday, March 18 – please give up ‘carrying the whole world on your shoulders’ – you are not responsible for everything. You are only responsible for yourself and the way you treat people, the way you interact with people. Building community and following Jesus is not a solo act. We do it together as community. We cannot do it alone.
Day 30 of Lent – Tuesday, March 19 please give up ‘being all things to all people’ – it is tiring, it is exhausting, it causes burnout. Be yourself, be gentle, be humble, be kind – that is your calling. Know your limits. Back away when you need to. Being a Christian is being in it for the long haul. It is a marathon, not a sprint
Day 31 of Lent – Wednesday, March 20 – stay tuned 😊
Take care everyone. Journey well. Know you are loved – always. Know you are never alone. Know there is nothing that can separate you from the love of God as we experience it in Jesus (Romans 8:39)
Marty