Pastor's Greeting

Pastor’s Ponder – February 2021

A short month, but a busy month!  First of all, it is my joy to announce a return to In-Person Worship starting February 14th!!  What a nice Valentine's Day gift for my heart!  I have missed seeing you all very much!  This will be a careful return to In-Person Worship, with a continued emphasis on congregational health and safety.  We will remain on Zoom and Facebook Live indefinitely, so if you feel better joining from home, please do so.  If you gather with us in the Sanctuary, please follow the guidelines.  I understand we are weary of guidelines - but for me, it is a simple matter of "what can I do to love my neighbor and keep him or her healthy?"  We will get through this, and we will get back to normal (at least whatever "normal" is - I know there is very little in my life I'd describe as "normal". 

Secondly, this month, we begin the journey of lent.  Lent traditionally begins with the observance of Ash Wednesday.  Please join us on February 17th - either in person or online - for a modified Ash Wednesday service.  In-Person attendees will be blessed at a distance.  The important thing is remembering - and handing back to God - our fragile mortality as we begin the long, difficult walk to the cross with our Lord.

Because February is "LOVE" month, I give you these words to consider from 1 John:

"Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.  And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is grater than our hearts and he knows everything... And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us" (3:18-20, 23).

Thank you for loving each other in truth and action!  Virtual "hugs" and "kisses" to you. XOXO

Your Sister in Christ,

Pastor Julie