April 2023 Newsletter
April begins just as our Lenten journey comes to a close and we start Holy Week, the final leg of our journey towards Easter. With palms waving, we enter the week as Jesus enters Jerusalem. It comes every year of course, and perhaps some years we experience it more than others, but I have found this year’s Lenten journey to be a powerful one, so stepping into Holy Week opens me up to imagine Jesus’ and his disciples’ thoughts and feelings in a whole new light. This season, we have taken on the practice of living by Miguel Ruiz’ Four Agreements as we’ve lived in relationship with others, ourselves, and even God. I’ve found this framework to be especially helpful in our community of faith, and I believe it will continue to impact the way we do church together just as it helps each of us individuality in our lives.
As a reminder, or for any who may have missed the last 6 weeks, the Four Agreements are:
1. Be impeccable with your word
2. Don’t take things personally
3. Don’t make assumptions
4. Always do your best
As we journey through Holy Week and gather together on Maundy Thursday, I invite you to think about how Jesus and those who surrounded him may have lived into those agreements (or may not have done so) and any impact that may have had on how the last week went. If you’ve missed the series, you should be able to view them on YouTube or on our Facebook page. Many thanks to Pastor Craig who shared in this series with me and to Jerri Davenport who created the installation that encouraged us to reflect upon each agreement, inviting us to make it even more personal by writing it down. We look forward to the transformation that will take place by our Jenna McCarty as she turns our reflections into a piece of art!
After all, Easter is all about transformation! And it will be a joyous Easter celebration! I’m looking forward to our two services, both featuring our chancel choir even as we continue our two distinct services. We have decided to extend our trial period with the second service and are happy to see that it is consistently growing as new people find a home at our church. The format will continue to evolve, but we’ve begun to find a rhythm and are embracing the joy that comes with the new energy.
There will certainly be a lot of energy come Easter morning, with all of the music to welcome us! It will be a feast of the senses: with the sounds of angels and alleluias, our ears will delight! The fragrance of the Easter lilies will fill the sanctuary as we rejoice in the sweetness of the resurrection, and the cross that meets us on Maundy Thursday will be transformed as our flowers bring it to colorful life! Be sure to inhale deeply as the stench of death gives way to open us up to life again! And follow your nose to the crepe stand, where your taste buds will enjoy a delicious sweet crepe to break your Lenten fast. I hope we’ll see lots of friends and welcome new ones into our midst to celebrate with us! If you haven’t been back to church in a while, this is the perfect time to return. After three years of a pandemic, I will relish the embrace we share on Easter, remembering my first Easter with you, just two years ago where a small number of us gathered early in the morning outside to celebrate a distanced but joyous Easter! It seems like so long ago, now that many of us feel comfortable holding a hand during Alleluia or embracing at the door. There is so much to celebrate! So join us for our Easter feast of the senses - as we gather together in love, celebrating the miracle of resurrection among us!
There’s definitely a lot to celebrate among us! The Preschool Refresh feels like a resurrection itself. Our dynamic duo Paul Feick and Mark Willcox have been hard at work, and each week they amaze me with all they’ve accomplished. We’ll start to begin blessing boards as the cabinets are nearly complete and all that is left will be the flooring! I never imagined they could work at such a fast pace given their limitations of work time, but peek your head in sometime while they are working and see what they’ve done! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to this project. It has been amazing to see the way our church has come together to make this happen!
Watch out for another transformation: thanks to our Communications Ministry our website will have a new look! Alex Ingal has been working hard behind the scenes to update our site! We’ve been working on our internet presence and this will help us engage new people as we share the good news about our church and preschool!
While coming back from the pandemic has certainly been a challenge for us, as we celebrate Easter this year, I am reminded that we are Easter people! We rose to meet the pandemic and were as safe as possible in every stage. It feels like we are rising again as we welcome so many new friends among us and invite dear friends back, I am grateful that the Body of Christ resurrects again and anew once more in us!
In Easter Anticipation,
Pastor Sarah
