A Musing for March 1st

Perhaps you’ve heard …
… a man was opening a new branch of his business, and one of his friends decided to send flowers for the occasion. The flowers arrived and Joe read the card. It said, "Rest in Peace." Joe, enraged, called the florist to complain. The florist replied, "Sir, I'm really sorry for the mistake, but rather than getting angry, you should imagine this: somewhere there is a funeral taking place today, and they have flowers with a note saying, "Congratulations on your new location."

I like to view the afterlife as a continuation of our present life, only in a new location. Our actions and attitude should be the same, only in a new location. Our present life is practice for our eternal existence.

GROWING IN OUR FAITH DURING LENT
I want to thank Pastor Mike and Pastor Dick for helping with the children’s sermon this week. Pastor Dick helped the kids plant an amaryllis bulb (which he graciously supplied) and we talked about what is needed to care for the plant: water, plant food, sun. Pastor Mike helped us to understand that we need prayer, bible study and fellowship to grow in our faith.

Each week during Lent we’ll check the growth of our amaryllis bulb and we’ll also check on our own spiritual growth. God wants the gospel to grow in us. The Apostle Paul told the church in Corinth, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6) We need to let God work in our lives to bring spiritual growth.

KIDS TOGETHER
We had a good group at Kids Together this week. Natalie Heaps and Ezria served as our volunteer leaders. We enacted the Scripture of the Temptation of Jesus; the children took turns being Jesus and the Devil. We learned that when temptation comes, we should go to the Bible (God’s Word) for help. The children started coloring stained glass pictures of a Bible and lily, but time ran out before we could finish. We hope to add new “stained glass” pictures each week during Lent. They will decorate the door that leads from the narthex into the Sanctuary.

This coming Sunday we will continue our Lenten journey in Kids Together. We will learn what a chicken can teach us about God’s love and care for us. Ron and Jane Arena will be our leaders this week.

NURSERY
Each week nursery care is provided during worship. Joan Brior and Wendy Reid are our nursery volunteers this week.

KIDS CLUB
The Kids Club begins on Sunday, March 4. Children grades 3 to 7 are invited to meet from 6:00 to 7:30 every Sunday evening during lent. We will gather in the Fellowship Hall and begin with singing and games. Bible study, crafts, competition and a ministry project will be a part of our evening. Sherry Snyder and Dorothy Gardner join me as leaders for the Kids Club.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS FOR PARENTS
This Sunday is the last of our classes on “God’s Word for Parents.” Jesus wasn’t a parent (unless you believe some of the recent spectacular claims), but he had something to say about children and to parents. The followers of Jesus also had concerns for the Christian family. This week we’ll center on God’s word for parents in the New Testament. The class is for parents, grandparents, those hoping to be parents, and anyone interested are invited to participate. We meet Sundays at 9:45 am in Room 2. Bring the kids; we have classes for them as well.

“The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

May you grow in the grace of the Lord this week.

Pastor Steve

This Week’s Motto: Pactum serva (“Keep the faith”)