Happy Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday,
and whatever else you're accustomed to calling the last day before Lent begins!
As Disciples we don't have any fast traditions
about giving up fats, oil, sugars, meat, etc., for Lent, but that doesn't mean
we won't eat pancakes and sausage when there's a good excuse. Come on out
Wednesday (tomorrow) night, and we'll serve up breakfast for dinner: pancakes,
sausage, and fruit. Afterward, we'll have our Ash Wednesday service instead of
our usual Wednesday study groups for adults and youth. It's a good way to start
our Lenten journey.
A Word about Lent, and
Journeying
For the next seven weeks, our study and our
worship will both be about the spiritual journeys we take. This Sunday, the
journey is with Jesus into the wilderness where he faces temptation and responds
with trust in God. When have you faced temptation and found yourself turning to
God for help? From Temptation to Trust is this week's theme.
Pastoral Care
Update
Kay S. is at Hennepin County Medical Center,
and is likely to be there some time. As you know, she broke both legs as her van
was hit head-on last week. She welcomes cards and visitors. If you're visiting,
you might see what she's reading and offer to read to her. It may be a while
before she's able to hold a book for very long.
A Word about
Calling
Several of you have talked with me about a
growing sense of calling toward a ministry that can help us grow in faith and
understanding. I believe there is also an emerging hunger in the church for more
intentional and explicit ministries of inclusion and welcome. I want to
encourage us all to be open to hearing where the Spirit is leading us.
This season in particular, as we hear reports of the last cold
fronts moving through and we anticipate the first glimmers of spring, it's a
good time to ask what's growing under the surface in our own hearts and minds. I
sense something powerful awakening in Spirit of Joy. It only seems fair to
acknowledge that it's happening so we can respond to the call when it
comes.
Daily Reflections during
Lent
For any who are interested, I'll be writing a
daily reflection on the spiritual journey during Lent. You can get to it either
through the church web page at http://www.spiritofjoymn.org and click
the link for Our Pastor, or subscribe to my blog Along the Way at http://revcobb.blogspot.com.
Other devotional sources you might consider
include:
There's plenty more out there. These are just a
few of the places I go for inspiration.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow for pancakes
and ashes (not together, of course!), and again Sunday. |
News from SOJ >