My brothers and sisters in Christ,
Thank you, Lois, for your Temple Talk. If you missed it, she talked about how she came to St. John’s.
She didn’t mention once that it was a rousing sermon that brought her to our church. It was the people. It was all of us putting our love of God and love of neighbor into our hands and feet. If you had asked her 10 years ago if she would be a member of St. John’s church council, she would probably laugh. But she is. I’m sure she contributes money to the church. But as important, she contributes her time and her talents. Would you think about doing the same?
Our first Lenten Wednesday Service has now passed. I was excited to see all the people who attended. I hope the service lifted your spirits and brought you closer to God. Kelly and Paul did a great job of leading us. It has been a while since we have done this service at St. John’s. I’m glad Paul took the time to explain the service. I got lost a few times, but I was able to find my way back. I know it will get better for me at each service.
I’m not sure what you heard from Paul’s short talk, but I heard that each week, I will probably get something different from the service. I remember that was true from the last time we did this. Each week, I come to the service as a different person, a person with different needs. The Holden Evening Prayer Service seems to fulfill those needs. I hope you will find that to be the same. However, that means you need to attend them.
It is a great service to invite a friend or family member. I noticed someone came to the service whom I haven’t seen in a while. It was great to see them. Maybe a Saturday or Sunday service is a little daunting. But the Holden service feels like a warm blanket welcoming all. It was great to see you and have a chance to talk to you for a short time. I have a feeling that all of us can think of at least one person who would benefit from this service. What is the worst thing they can say? “No.” Still really important that we always remember that we are not in charge of their response. We’re sowers throwing seeds. That’s our job.
I have been reflecting lately on why we have liturgical seasons. Currently, we are in the Lenten season. Before we were in the season of Epiphany, and before that, the Christmas season. Shouldn’t we always be repenting of our sins? Shouldn’t we always be making Jesus known in the world? Shouldn’t we always be praising and rejoicing in Jesus’ birth and resurrection?
Maybe one of the reasons the church has liturgical seasons is that we have a tendency to forget. Do we remember the assurance of God’s forgiveness and repent, or do we have a habit of holding on to things way too long? Do we believe that we are not good enough, or maybe do some “Christian” thing so God loves us more?
I have been talking about God’s character during this season of Lent. It is not coming from me, but what I read about both the Old Testament and New Testament writers. They were absolutely assured of God’s gracious action because they knew their God well. They knew God’s character.
Then we have his Son always revealing what his father is like. Do we expect a wrathful God who is ready to punish us at the end? Do we have a God who has files and files of all the sins his people have done? If this is true, we are all in bad shape.
But Jesus wasn’t like this on earth, so why would we expect anything else when he returns? We all sin, each one of us. Today, we continue to fall short even though we profess our love for God. God knows us well. How well do we know him?
God sent his Son for us. To cancel our debt, to nail our sins on the cross. We are not made righteous, but it is what Jesus did on the cross that makes us righteous. Not our doing but God’s. Why? I can only think of one reason. God loves us. Maybe if we remember this, remember this with every breath we take, maybe we wouldn’t need to have liturgical seasons. God loves us so much that he sent his Son into the world. God loves us so much that his Son lived among his people. God loves us so much that his Son died for you and for me. God loves us so much that Jesus was raised from the dead. God loves us so much … just the way we are.
Some might have problems with that last sentence. If grace has anything to do with us, it wouldn’t be grace. It would be work-based. It is not what we believe. We are saved by grace… nothing more.
Do we need to make changes to come before God? No. Do we want to make changes? Hopefully, Yes. The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans says, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NRSVUE). Never conformed, always transformed. Not because we have to, but because we want to. We should always be trying to discern the will of God. Always. God is also in the transforming business.
Cross marked and spirit sealed.
Pastor Tom
815-223-1144
Readings for the third Weekend of Lent, March 7 & 8.