Dear Caldwell,
Grace and peace to you!
In these strange days when the clouds seem to hover, literally outside today and figuratively over our world, I pray you can sense God’s presence with and around you. The headlines bring news that seems to grow more grim by the hour and our stay-at-home experience is already growing old. But as I said Sunday, even though we may be scattered like those bones Ezekiel told us about, we are still community brimming with live and activity.
This is the last week of Lent, the season that leads to Holy Week. Our theme of Wilderness has framed these weeks poignantly. While we may not be exiting the wilderness of the pandemic, we do move forward as people of faith, walking with Jesus and his followers into Jerusalem starting Sunday. To prepare, here’s a quick rundown on this week’s gatherings for you:
The Preacher Porch, tonight 7 p.m.: I’ll be leading tonight as we take a look at Matthew 21:1-11, that gospel’s account of Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem.
Vespers, Thursday night, 7 p.m. Gail and Lia Benton lead time reflecting on the theme, Offering God Our Prayer and Our Praise – Even During Difficult Times. We will consider Psalm 31, which is the Psalm that appears in the lectionary under “The Liturgy of the Passion.” http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=452675751
Let us see your palms! Because we won’t have the chance to enter the sanctuary waving our palms, we’d love to recreate it online. You’re invited to grab something green, out of your yard or somewhere else, and take a photo (families, singles, anyone) of you waving it. Justin will put a collage together and we will have a virtual procession! Email photos to jmartin@caldwellpresby.org
Prayers for our healthcare professionals: As we shelter at home, a number of our members and friends are going to work and braving the risks to care for others. Please pray for God to comfort and guard these folks by name: Jenni Anderson, Lia Benton, Rhett Brown, Ginger Dickerson, Joan Kleinmann, Dee Murray, Chris Polk, Melissa Ratliff, Dee Rogers. Apologies if we’ve inadvertently left anyone out.
The Promise of New Life: As a bright note, we’ve been checking in on all of our new babies and their parents. All are well and thriving. With this email, we share a parade of these newest members (thanks to Gail for gathering!).
In Christ,
John