February & March 2010 Message from the Pastor

Reflections

I don’t know about you but I know that I certainly get busy with trying to manage (or perhaps just cope with) life. There seem to be so many details to keep track of-- appointments, errands, tasks, chores, calls, plus relationships to nurture, projects to start, e-mails to check and respond to, reports to draft, plans to develop and, of course, work-outs to be endured. Little wonder that a soft, warm bed is often the greatest gift.

What often is missing is time for reflection. I always hope that time spent in worship is quality reflective time and not just another item on your checklist. Certainly silence, prayer, singing and getting food for thought should be refreshing. And our worship space itself is calming.

During Lent, I encourage you to add another dimension of reflection. We design our Wednesday evening line-up to help restore your soul. It starts with a simple meal and fellowship followed by a brief worship time (1/2 hour max) and a short class to discuss some readings you can choose from. These reading options will soon be on display in the Narthex and you can pick one or more even if you can’t come on Wednesdays. Lent invites us to share in the drama of Christ’s passion. Yet, it’s not intended to be a time in which we wallow in guilt or shame for the sins which drive him to the cross. I think, instead, it’s a chance to realize that we are weak, inclined to fall short on even our best days and need the loving arms and voice of a forgiving God. “Come onto me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” Christ says.

I pray that you will find your way to church this Lent and/or devote more time to reflection. Our recent efforts to assess the needs of our members indicate that we can still grow in our spirituality. It may be matter of doing less and not more but also doing more of those things that truly make for peace. At least think about this!


Pastor Jim Friedrich