Holy week begins on Palm Sunday. That is this Sunday, two days from now! Lent has had extra meaning for us this year. As one of my colleagues posted “This is the Lentiest Lent I ever Lented!” 

This is the week of the lowest lows and highest highs of the Christian year. The scriptures allow us to experience these for ourselves:

– Along with the crowd in Jerusalem we shout “Hosanna! God save us!” How many of us find ourselves searching for miraculous healing of this affliction!

– Along with the disciples in the upper room, we learn that as God made covenant with a people long ago, so Jesus makes a new covenant with us. We commemorate that covenant in a common meal. How many of us are rediscovering or longing for the joy of conversation over a simple meal. As well, we rediscover the importance of simple acts of mercy and service. 

– Along with those close friends of Jesus, we seek to stay up with Him as He prays in the garden. Yet we find ourselves weary. How many of us have been suddenly awakened from our slumber by events which surprise us and turn our world upside-down. How many of us are tempted to deny our knowledge of God in our questioning of how this could happen!

– Along with those most dear to Jesus, the women who got things done, we observe the horrors of the world and prepare ourselves to tend to the hurting, the lost, the least, the dying. And then we will go to the tomb, to take care of business.

Unlike them, we know what comes next.

The challenges of this strange time allow us the luxury to take the full journey of Holy Week, and not simply jump blithely from Palm Sunday to Easter.

Dear Lord, We know how the story continues with Easter. We know that this time apart will pass, and that we will soon be together again. Allow us to take the opportunity to plumb the depths with you at our side. Help us to explore our fear, our doubt, our disbelief. Help us to be in spirit with those who are hurting. Help us to reach out in all the ways available to us. And then, on Easter, help us to rise into a new understanding; a renewed relationship; a new and personal celebration of joy and the new life you are bringing. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

George

Micah 6:8 New International Version (NIV) 

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. 

And what does the Lord require of you? 

To act justly and to love mercy 

and to walk humbly with your God. 

This has been one of my favorite scripture verses for a very long time. I suspect that it is a favorite verse of many people in our church family and I know that it near and dear to all the folks who serve on our Justice & Compassion Committee here.

I have been blessed to serve all over the United States to help survivors of natural disasters and have had this verse in my heart and mind while serving them many times, but never have I been so touched by the people I have served than here at church this past Monday. 

Pastor George and Howard Herdman have been working on how we could open our shower ministry during this crucial time. So, with many precautions in place for our guests and Pastor George and myself, we reopened our shower ministry on Monday. At a time when the places that are normally available for homeless to shower are closed, we are now open. We are being the church that we are called by God to be. 

When the first women arrived, they had tears in their eyes. This would be their first shower in about 2 weeks. They were so incredibly grateful that we were opened. The smiles that were on the faces when they came out the restroom brought me to tears. They felt human again. Every one of the 3 women and 4 men that were here were so very thankful and were filled with blessings for our church. They told me that we were the only church open to help and that it was getting increasingly difficult out there on the streets. 

I am so blessed to be in ministry at a church who even during these difficult times is living into our call to be in ministry with those less fortunate than ourselves. What a humbling experience to be thanked profusely for letting someone shower here at church. It is during these times that we are called to put our faith into practice and to also realize how truly blessed we are. 

May you all continued to keep connected with each other and stay safe. 

Grace & Peace, Suzanne 

Dear Friends,

Here we are, still hanging out in that in-between-time of this uniquely challenging season. The surreal-ness of no traffic on the freeway, the new normal of working from home and learning new technology, and the frustration and fear of not being able to drop in on family and friends. We have new routines, mundane as they might seem, it is now how we are doing our days. 

Oddly enough I was thinking of Brother Lawrence, a 17 century Carmelite French monk (The Practice of the Presence of God) who experienced the presence God in the midst of washing dishes and doing daily tasks. We too can be intentional and ask God to be our companion in our daily tasks as we wipe down door handles, listen to music, play with the kids, mow the lawn or walk the dog. Even cleaning out the garage can be a unique time spent with God. We were made by God and made to be with God in all aspects of our life.

So whether you’re watching a beautiful sunset, cleaning your kitchen, or having a dance party for one in your living room, invite God to join in. God delights in you and wants to be in each moment of your life no matter what that might be.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, 

his mercies never come to an end; 

they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 

The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24

Comforting and merciful God, join us in our unordinary days and new ways of being. Help us to be aware of your presence in all our moments. Grant your peace upon us and walk with us though these uncertain times and help us to rest in the knowing that we are deeply cherished and loved by you. Amen.

Blessings,

Brenda Spencer