Dear Brothers and Sisters in
Christ,
Wow! Would you have believed someone six
months ago if they claimed we would be shut-down like this? Holy Week with Palm
Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter sure aren’t going to be the same
this year. I was working on the bulletins for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday
today and trying to imagine how we reproduce the emotions that arise in these
services over the internet. Maundy Thursday without communion? Good Friday
without extinguishing the lights? Be sure to watch for our emails with the audio
files or go to Youtube.com and search for GraceLCHayward for the video version
to see how this turns out.
Last week I changed the sign at St.
Peter’s to “Be still, and know I am God.” Psalm 46:10 It was interesting to have a
discussion with a regular neighborhood visitor who said the message “was, was,
was, disturbing.” I told him that some people see it that way while others see
it as comforting. “It’s not too comforting yet” was his response. I had the
opportunity to tell him that we can also see it as God saying, “Calm down; be
still; I’ve got this.” He wasn’t ready for that. Are you? With all that God is
accomplishing through this situation we can be more confident than ever we see
Him at work.
I was reading through Luke recently and
hit “The Kingdom of God is near you.” Luke 10:9 God and His Kingdom have
arrived! You are a part of that Kingdom and we all have the joy to share God’s
love. Sometimes, like this current pandemic, things don’t look so good. It
didn’t look good when God sent His Children into Babylon either. But God was at
work to draw His people back. Sometimes it takes drastic action to accomplish
His will. I find it particularly interesting that this is coming to a climax
during Lent. Let’s do some self examination, repentance, and turn our hearts and
lives fully to the work of the Lord and watch as He accomplishes miracles beyond
what we have ever seen.
You heard me on Sunday repeat an example
from the story of “The Little Engine that could.” You remember, “I think I can.
I think I can…” Pastor Lange added a great touch for me. “God isn’t looking for
little engines who say ‘I think I can’ He’s looking for little engines who
say…’I can’t.’ Are we ready to repent and turn to God for His forgiveness? Do we
need to be in control?
May God bless us as we look to Him this
Lenten Season.
Pastor
Oatman