March 2024 - Are We Listening?

Life is often like a whirlwind.  Certainly, this year seems to be like that.  We are already 1/6^th through the year.  Lent is almost ½ over.  The days seem to go fast, like a whirlwind.  It is so easy for us to lose track of the days slipping by us.  The older I get the faster I see time go by.

1 Kings 19:11-13 tells the story of Elijah retreating to the caves in the mountains after Elijah’s victory over the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel.  There the Lord told Elijah to stand on the mountain as the Lord passed by.  First a whirlwind tore into mountains and broke the rocks in pieces, but the Lord was not in the wind.  Then an earthquake came, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. Then a fire came, but the Lord was not in the fire.  Then a still small voice came.

When Elijah heard the voice, he wrapped his face with a scarf and stood in the entrance of the cave.  The voice of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Are we listening for God?  Or are we too busy, listening to the whirlwind, feeling the earthquake, and watching the consuming fire?  Life in the world will always seek to distract us.  But God quietly awaits us; ready for us to listen to that still small voice.  As the Psalmist says, “Be Still, and Know that I am God.”

Take time to be still.  Take time to listen.  Discover God waiting to speak to you, to speak to the depth of your heart, to speak to your deepest pain, to speak to your greatest fear.  God is waiting for you!

We invite you to join our Wednesday morning Bible Study, Wednesday evening Bible Study, or Sunday School following worship as opportunities to grow in your life as a disciple of Christ.  We invite you to join us on Sunday evenings for Kid’s Club, Youth Group, or Time, Talent, and Treasure as adults share the gifts that God has blessed them with.  We invite you to participate in the 24-hour Prayer Vigil that starts on Good Friday. 

We invite you to come join us for worship of the God who waits for us!  Come join us as we seek to worship, to encounter the Holy, as the still small voice of God speaks to us.

Blessings!

Alan

February 2024 - Early Lent

The season of Lent begins on February 14^th.  Lent is the 40 days before Easter not counting Sundays.  It is a period in which Christians historically prepare through prayer, penance or repentance of sins, almsgiving, atonement, and self-denial.

Prayer is the act of entering into conversation with God.  That conversation may use words, song, or silence.  It can take the form of a hymn, recitation of the same words repeatedly, or spontaneous speaking with God.  The spontaneous speaking scares so many people, but think of it as simply speaking to God as you might a long-time friend over a cup of coffee.  Prayers may include petitions or supplications (asking for something), thanksgiving, and praise.

Penance or Repentance of Sins is the acknowledgement that you have done something wrong for which you are sorry about.  Confessing our sin opens us up to the hope that comes as forgiveness from God.  True repentance calls for changed attitude and behavior.  To sin is to miss the mark.  To repent is to hit the bull’s eye, to stay on target.  Acts of penance are sometimes performed to assist one in new behaviors such as devoting time to prayer, reading the Bible, or other spiritual books.  These acts may include abstaining (fasting) from food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Almsgiving is the act of charity toward those who are less fortunate.  That act can be lived out by giving money or possessions or by volunteering.  Throughout the year we support many different special offerings and collections to support local, regional, national, and international ministries as well as ministries.  The Compassionate Ministry Food Pantry is a ministry of our own that assists persons in need in our community.  Our general fund supports ministry in our community, across Western Pennsylvania, and around the world as well.

Self-Denial is the act of abstaining typically from something one receives enjoyment.  Fasting from eating food is one of the major practices of self-denial.  Fasting could be for a meal, a day, or longer.  The time of fasting is spent in prayer, study, or performing acts of kindness.  This is the origin of the practice of “giving up something for Lent”.  But remember that in giving up something, you should take up some other practice.  For instance, you could fast for a meal, donate the cost of the meal to a charity to help others and spend your mealtime reading the Bible and praying.

Lent is a time for us to prepare for Christ in our life.  Let us open our hearts to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Blessings!

Alan