Pastor's Notes for February 28, 2010

OUR CHALLENGE during the 40 days between Repentance and Resurrection is to deepen our walk with the Lord, to enrich our life together in Christ, and to change our areas of influence with God's grace and mercy.

Let us, as a congregation, intentionally reach out to those we’ve missed in the assemblies since the beginning of the year. Whatever the cause for absence, be it weather, ill health, work schedules, lethargy or discontent, express your genuine love to them and let them know they are missed.

May the weeks leading to the celebration of Resurrection be a time of revival and renewal in our love for the Lord and our affection for each other. Write notes, make calls, send a text or an email. Invite others into your home. Take time to speak apologies and extend forgiveness. Express words of encouragement.

OUR EXTRA CONTIBUTIONS last Sunday to Week of Compassion, $57; to Haiti $41. Haiti contributions, to date, totaled $76. The last Sunday in February is not included in that amount.

Reflecting on the Scriptures: RUN! HIDE! RUN & HIDE?

Luke 13:31-35. Some Pharisees warn Jesus about Herod’s plans to kill him, suggesting he run and hide. Instead Jesus faces danger and does not waver from his destination. The real hiding place, Jesus says, is under mother hen’s wing!

Psalm 27. The psalmist also proclaims the security of hiding in the shelter of the Lord in the day of trouble. Seek his face and run to him. Wait for the Lord; be strong, …take courage.

Philippians 3:17—4:1. Stand firm in the Lord, Paul says. To Roman citizens he says, “Our citizenship is in heaven…” To us, United States citizens, he says, “Our citizenship is in heaven.” Can you feel the tension this teaching brings?

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18. God makes promises of blessings and security, but Abram has doubts and questions God! In the end, Abram believes the Lord and the Lord reckons it to Abram as righteousness. [See how NT writers interpret this: Galatians 3:6-9;Romans 4:1-3, 20-24; Hebrews 11:8-12]

COMMUNION MEDITATION
Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem and did not waver in his determination to demonstrate God’s love with his words and with his deeds. He wept over the city knowing he was being rejected, still longing to gather God’s people into a loving embrace, but knowing they were not willing. I wonder if Jesus has that same longing when he looks at our town.

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it and said, "This is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Take and eat.”

In this meal it is as if Jesus invites us to find shelter under the wings of the mother hen.