From Pastor Paul –

Greetings church!  This Lenten season has been like other seasons of Lent gone before. It too has been a time when disciples of Jesus Christ practice their faith by repenting from sin and remembering the gospel, the Good News of Christ, the news that the Kingdom of God is near. Each Sunday of Lent we have worshipped with a celebration of hope! And yet this season has been different.

 In the midst of this season of Lent, we have watched as friends and families have felt the hard times of rising unemployment. This time of economic recession is a difficult time to say the least. Frequent have been the announcements of layoffs, furloughs, and company closures. They are real and they are close. Those with jobs are hanging on. Families we know are impacted. And yet we celebrate! In celebration, we remember that no human condition is beyond the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The practical workings of this grace are lived out in and through the church. And so our congregation, like other local churches, seeks to embolden families and friends with hope in the midst of hard times. We do this by speaking words that offer encouragement, lifting up prayers for one another and for those known to be in need, and giving aid to those who suffer. We demonstrate compassion in the faith practices we share as Christians.

And yet, is that enough? It is a question that hits hard and lingers. I have to admit in my own experience that no human response is adequate to address the suffering of God’s people. But our faith teaches us that God’s response is enough! As we approach the Easter season, we celebrate because the ultimate gift of grace has been given to humans by God in the form of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus! When we march through the Passion Week story, we remember that Christ redeemed us, cleansed us, and graced us in Christ’s way to the cross. Along the path we journey – we remember – we celebrate grace!

Friends, join me in the midst of this season of economic turmoil as we claim the resurrection faith we know because of the person called Jesus of Nazareth. Claim grace today and spread encouraging grace today! Because God is enough!