Dearly Beloved,
Today is Ash Wednesday -- the beginning of our Lenten journey. Lent has long been one of my favorite liturgical seasons, after Advent. It is a season of preparation, of waiting and watching. Some practice giving something up for Lent -- a way to be reminded of what we have that is luxury or unnecessary in our lives (the extras), to think about making room in your life for the Holy Spirit, or to let go of something that might separate you from God. I've long practiced adding something: journaling, reading the Psalms, 5-10 minutes of meditation before bed, an act of service each day, that sort of thing. This practice of adding something has helped me to slow down and reminded me that I have more time and space in my life than I often think I do. And the practice helps me connect more deeply with my faith and the movement of the Holy Spirit, as close to me as my very breath.
This year, our Lenten theme is "Tell Me Something Good." The reality of our scripture stories is that they are always telling us something good. As Charlie so eloquently and simply summarized it in her prayer at the beginning of our children's time this last Sunday, that can often be stated simply as: "God, we love you. And you love us." What good good news that is.
I hope you'll join us this Sunday as we hear the good news that is so good it catches us by surprise!
You're invited to join us at a Community Ash Wednesday worship at 6:30 pm at First United Methodist Church (533 Grant Avenue, Loveland). If you can't make it in person, you can join the service via livestream HERE. We have Lenten devotional materials available for you as we walk this season together: a devotional booklet and/or Lenten devotional cards. You can simply let me know if you would like either of those. We appreciate donations to help us cover the cost of materials and printing as you are able.
I also wanted to share an update from the Deacons. We had been operating our care groups as we had during COVID with lots of connection and reach-out from the Deacons. COVID is, blessedly, quite a thing of the past. These care groups will operate primarily as prayer groups with deacons holding each person on their care group in their prayers. They will not be making regular phone calls or sending regular cards as they have in the past. That said, if you have a prayer request, feel free to reach out to the pastor or a deacon.
Finally, I have a new telephone and am not receiving all of the text messages sent to me. I apologize for the inconvenience and the poor timing of this. If you text me and do not hear back in a timely manner, please text again or call me. I know I've missed at least one pastoral need that way.
It is a gift to walk together.
With love and hope,
Thandiwe
A prayer for Ash Wednesday by Rev. Sarah Speed, A Sanctified Art
Table-setting God,
this Lent we do not want to miss your invitation.
We do not want to be so caught up in our own business
that we miss the holiness right in front of us.
So settle our hearts, and open our spirits to hear your word anew.
Help us hear your good news today.
With hope we pray,
amen.
