Did You Find the North Star?
Dear Middletown Reformed Church Family and Friends,
Lenten blessings to you, beloved of God
How has the fourth week of your Lenten journey Coming Back to Life been for you? Did you make some homemade cards with star and Moon designs, and write encouraging messages on them as a little way to spread God's hope and joy? Were you able to go out at night and look for the guiding North Star?
When I am feeling uncertain or overwhelmed, I go to be in nature with the critters as a way of reconnecting with God’s presence. During the pandemic, when everything was topsy-turvy, it was a good reminder that some things carried on as normal. This past Saturday, when it was very warm, I sat out in the backyard to be still with God and feed the squirrels. After a season of my being inside in the winter, it usually takes a week or so for the animals to adjust to my presence with them. But this time I got a delightful surprise. The squirrels came right up to me, raising their heads in the air, in anticipation of peanuts raining down about them. The birds, normally ever cautious, continued to nibble on the seeds at the feeder, unbothered by my close proximity and chirping merrily.
They remembered me — the lady that had been feeding them all winter. I was a known presence, a feeling of comfort and “home” for them. And I couldn’t stop grinning as I watched all the spring activity around me.
As our Lenten devotional asked, What helps you find your way “home” when you feel lost or uncertain? I would enjoy hearing your answer and I invite you to discuss this question with your friends and family.
Come home to church. Come home to God this Fifth Sunday in Lent as we continue our journey of coming back to life. Tom will lead us in our hymns and will sing the Anthem “King of Kings.” I am preaching from Luke 18.31-19.10 — Jesus lives out his parables and brings healing to a blind man and a tax collector — and my sermon title is Sight & Salvation. In addition, we will come to God’s table of wide open grace and celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, united as the body of Christ. Please note we will not be having our Sunday brunch this week; instead, we are having a special brunch next week on Palm Sunday.
Keep following Jesus, beloved. For truly, he is our home.
With gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,
Pastor Trish