Message from Pastor Brandi
COMPANIONS ON THE JOURNEY – A NOTE FROM OUR PASTOR
Ashes, Ashes We All Fall Down
Four people attended the Ash Wednesday service this year. It isn’t unusual to have low attendance for mid-day services, but this low number was alarming. After the service I was made aware that this special service had not been printed in the bulletin (my oversight), a number of people attempted participating via Livestream, but the service was not broadcast. Others remembered last year’s outdoor service after which visited a local café’ and offered ashes to staff and patrons. Those people waited for me this year, but I did not arrive. For the confusion and disappointment that some of you suffered, I offer a sincere apology and ask forgiveness.
The foibles and unintended failings of the day make us ever more aware of how sorry we often feel for our failings and missing God’s hopes and prayers for our life.
Even when we fail, we can still be confident in God’s love, compassion, and mercy and in God’s continued work in the world.
Today we are in a forty-day journey with Jesus, and we have the opportunity to fall more deeply in love with Love.
Ash Wednesday is past, but the invitation remains open for us to observe a holy Lent, by self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving; and by reading and meditating on the Word of God.
As Christians, we participate in a lifelong process of being transformed into the life and holiness of our Lord. Like a child who is learning to walk, we will stumble and fall. With the encouragement of Christian community and by God’s grace, we are able to stand back up and take another step.
Let us walk together as a congregation through this season of Lent. For those of you who would like to receive the sign of ashes, please approach the pastor after worship over the next two Sundays, 3/5 and 3/12.
In Christ,
Pastor Brandi
Ashes, Ashes We All Fall Down
Four people attended the Ash Wednesday service this year. It isn’t unusual to have low attendance for mid-day services, but this low number was alarming. After the service I was made aware that this special service had not been printed in the bulletin (my oversight), a number of people attempted participating via Livestream, but the service was not broadcast. Others remembered last year’s outdoor service after which visited a local café’ and offered ashes to staff and patrons. Those people waited for me this year, but I did not arrive. For the confusion and disappointment that some of you suffered, I offer a sincere apology and ask forgiveness.
The foibles and unintended failings of the day make us ever more aware of how sorry we often feel for our failings and missing God’s hopes and prayers for our life.
Even when we fail, we can still be confident in God’s love, compassion, and mercy and in God’s continued work in the world.
Today we are in a forty-day journey with Jesus, and we have the opportunity to fall more deeply in love with Love.
Ash Wednesday is past, but the invitation remains open for us to observe a holy Lent, by self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving; and by reading and meditating on the Word of God.
As Christians, we participate in a lifelong process of being transformed into the life and holiness of our Lord. Like a child who is learning to walk, we will stumble and fall. With the encouragement of Christian community and by God’s grace, we are able to stand back up and take another step.
Let us walk together as a congregation through this season of Lent. For those of you who would like to receive the sign of ashes, please approach the pastor after worship over the next two Sundays, 3/5 and 3/12.
In Christ,
Pastor Brandi
