March 9 - April 13, Sunday Evenings at 6pm - COMING ALIVE 2014 Lenten Bible Study at Sangerville Church of the Brethren
April 5, 8:30am - Trash pickup along Freemason Run Road and church cleanup day
April 6 - SKIDS and VIBES youth meet after the morning worship
April 20, 7am - Easter Sunrise Service at Natural Chimneys Park
April 27, 10am - Homecoming Service with guest speaker Bishop Phil Whipple. A carry-in meal will follow in the fellowship hall.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Pastor's Penpoint - "Limping to the Cross" - March 2014
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation." ~Psalm 51:12
I know how you feel ... cold temperatures, brown grass and nature lying dormant has taken a toll on us all. Surely it was years ago since we lamented "Can't we just make this Christmas thing last?" Now here we are, creeping through the months following the holiday season, looking for signs of hope, renewal and life. It seems as if we are limping through these days, looking for something.
I wish I could fast forward a little, move past these "blah" days and get to the good stuff, the warm breeze of spring, the greening of the foliage and the beginning of a new life cycle.
Truth is, that is how every disciple of Jesus Christ feels this time of year. Can't we just fast forward past this dark and horrific time? Can't we just skip the stories this year of Christ's tempting, suffering and death? Can't we just fast forward to Christ emerging victorious from the grave? The answer, thankfully, is "no".
To do that, we may know the ending, but not why the ending is so powerful and complete. That would be like reading only the last chapter of a book ... we would know what happens - but not why it matters.
During this time, we journey with Jesus, behold his ministry, witness his betrayal and death and will get swept up in the joyous news of His victory over death.
During this time of repentance and self denial, may we be attune to Christ's suffering for our sake, and be renewed again. Sisters and brothers, we must first limp to the cross to be able to run to the empty tomb.
Grace and strength this season of Lent,
~ Pastor Todd
I know how you feel ... cold temperatures, brown grass and nature lying dormant has taken a toll on us all. Surely it was years ago since we lamented "Can't we just make this Christmas thing last?" Now here we are, creeping through the months following the holiday season, looking for signs of hope, renewal and life. It seems as if we are limping through these days, looking for something.
I wish I could fast forward a little, move past these "blah" days and get to the good stuff, the warm breeze of spring, the greening of the foliage and the beginning of a new life cycle.
Truth is, that is how every disciple of Jesus Christ feels this time of year. Can't we just fast forward past this dark and horrific time? Can't we just skip the stories this year of Christ's tempting, suffering and death? Can't we just fast forward to Christ emerging victorious from the grave? The answer, thankfully, is "no".
To do that, we may know the ending, but not why the ending is so powerful and complete. That would be like reading only the last chapter of a book ... we would know what happens - but not why it matters.
During this time, we journey with Jesus, behold his ministry, witness his betrayal and death and will get swept up in the joyous news of His victory over death.
During this time of repentance and self denial, may we be attune to Christ's suffering for our sake, and be renewed again. Sisters and brothers, we must first limp to the cross to be able to run to the empty tomb.
Grace and strength this season of Lent,
~ Pastor Todd
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