February 2007 Message from the Pastor

Endings and Beginnings

You may not realize the challenge faced by church workers who observe the church year. It’s not easy, I want you to know, to be tied to a calendar that demands that as soon as the Christmas decorations are stowed away, you must begin planning for Lent. It’s more than just this quick switch from beginnings to endings that is difficult, but it’s the need to shift then again to Easter.

The real problem with this whole annual rotation is Lent, you see. Jesus is still a little infant in our minds when we see him starting to suffer in mid-February. Why not give him at least another 40 days of development and then during Holy Week devote a brief time to the crucifixion before celebrating Easter? Why dwell on endings when we can celebrate Beginnings (Christmas) and New Beginnings (Easter)?

I suppose we’re simply bound, more than we’d like, by tradition. Easter is such a wonderful Spring event and perhaps it needs Lent and Holy Week to make it more amazing. We know the pain and grief of death and dying and it’s important to reflect on them for a period of time. While it is hard to prepare for this Lenten chapter in the divine drama, it can be meaningful.

This year we will have mid-week Lenten worship that is peaceful and reflective. You may remember a few years ago when we offered "Taize" worship. We will use this beautiful worship style again together (we think) with members of Westhope Presbyterian Church next door. Their pastor, Erik Swanson, spent a good period of time at Taize, France and will help us plan these worship experiences. And, come Easter, we have plans for a truly wonderful "new beginning." Plan to travel with us through Lent!

Pastor Jim Friedrich