February 27th, 2019

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
In the midst of this cold and dreary winter, it’s easy to feel down and lethargic. In our church, we are fortunate to have our Office Administrator, Tina, who has a terrific attitude. The other day she said, “Look on the bright side. There are only 54 days left to spring.”
According to the Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday this year falls on March 6th, which marks the beginning of Lent. As we receive the imposition of the ashes on Ash Wednesday, we are reminded of our mortality: “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.”
We need to remember that we are mortal beings and that we will die sooner or later. We live here on earth as resident aliens. When God calls our name, we will fly back to our eternal home where there will be no more pains and tears.
Faithful people embrace their death with courage, hope and peace. Saint Francis of Assisi said, “My sister, death, come! I welcome you!” Mystic Rumi said, “Our death is our wedding with eternity.” Winston Church said, “I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.”
The Bible tells us, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” (1 Peter 1:24-25)
As our Lord, Jesus, spent 40 days in solitude in the wilderness before entering his public ministry, we are encouraged to spend the next 40 days of the Lenten Season in spiritual disciplines of Bible study, self denial, prayer and meditation, compassion and charity.
If any of you are interested in being baptized in our church, please let me know. I would be happy to baptize you on Easter Sunday or any Sunday. The meaning of baptism is to die to our old self and to be born again as a child of God and disciple of Jesus Christ.
“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. ” - Albert Camus
Let’s walk to Emmaus with our Lord, Jesus, through the wilderness of life.
​Your brother in Christ, Jerry