Did You Take the Time?

Dear Middletown Reformed Church Family and Friends,

Lenten blessings to you, beloved of God

How has the first week of your Lenten journey Coming Back to Life been for you? Did you take the time and space to practice a simple breathing exercise to calm anxiety: Breathe in slowly while thinking, “God is with me,” and breathe out while thinking, “I am safe.” Were you able to step outside or sit by a window to feel the sunlight on your face and take a moment to give thanks for the new day, each one a little longer than the last? What did you notice around you that was coming back to life in these lengthening days? The first sign of spring at Coventry House is always the tiny purple crocus that pops up under one of the Japanese maple trees. And yes, they are there in all of their resplendent glory. And for the first time, we have snowdrops blooming in the front garden!

I hope you engaged in some of these practices as they are designed for us to be intentional about being in the prayerful presence of God, to let God love us, and to renew and refresh our souls as we travel with Jesus into Jerusalem. 

For this Second Sunday in Lent, I ask the question: What do a Hoya plant, a fig tree, and a mother hen all have in common? Come to church and find out! Tom will lead us in our hymns and the Joyful Noise Adult Choir will sing the Anthem “All Things Bright and Beautiful.” I am preaching from Luke 13.6-9, 31-35 and my sermon title is Pursued by God. In addition, we will come to God’s table of wide open welcome and grace and celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper together.

I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday. Keep following Jesus, beloved.

With gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,

Pastor Trish