As we enter the season of Lent let us reflect on both the ways we have been blessed and the ways we have not quite lived up to our calling. The season of Lent is a time of reflection and repentance. 


Now, many of us do not like to think that we need to repent of anything, in some ways it means that we have failed or not been as good as we should have been. But repentance carries with it more connotations than simple individual failure. In the Old Testament, especially in the prophets (which we are studying on Wednesday nights) God calls the people to repent for communal sins—those sins which the community has committed as a whole. 


You may be wondering, how do I repent for something I have no control over? And I think that is a valid question. I think we must repent for the ways in which we participate in ongoing societal sins, and I think we must repent for the ways in which we don’t hold society to a higher standard. 


The prophets called the people of Israel to repent for both worshiping other gods and for not taking care of the poor and needy among them. Basically, the prophets called out God’s people for not living into the two greatest commandments: love God and love others. 


So what about us? What ways have we participated in the sins of our society? How have we put comfort, pleasure, and wealth above sacrifice, worship, and love of God and others?


This year, as we reflect on some things we might sacrifice for Lent, let’s also reflect on the ways we participate in societal sins and repent of those things. Together, we can be stronger advocates and warriors for those who are in need.


I also want to tell you about our Lent series: Everything in Between. We will be discussing living in between the tension of things that pull at us. I am excited about this season and look forward to being with you as we seek God together.


With much love,
Pastor Drew

The month of February is often called the month of love. During this month we celebrate Valentine’s Day and think fondly of those we love and cherish.


For this month I want to remind us of what love really means.


The Bible tells us quite a bit about love, doesn't it?


1 Corinthians 16:14 says, “Let all that you do be done in love.”


John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave  his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”


1 Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of  sins.”


And John 14:15 states, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”


This is not all the Bible says about love. In fact I didn’t quote anything from 1 Corinthians 13, an entire chapter devoted to discussing love.


What we learn from the Bible is that God is love (1 John 4:8), and if we are going to be imitators of God and Jesus, then we will also be characterized by love.


With that in mind, let us continue to pursue showing love to each other and our neighbors. And if we learn anything from the parable of the Good Samaritan it is this, we are the good neighbor to everyone. Neighbor is a term that describes us, not the people around us. We should strive to be good neighbors to all, especially those who find themselves powerless to provide or fight for themselves.


I know this message has been preached endlessly since I’ve been here, but it is the message of the Gospel. It is our message, and it is the message that will drive everything we do.


So this month and every other month, let everything that we do be done with love!


With much love,
Pastor Drew