From the pastor's desk march 2025

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