We are now at the mid-point of our Lenten journey. I hope that all of you, in ways appropriate to your needs, have been taking advantage of BMPC’s resources for this special season of the year. My daily routine has included reading the offering for that day in the “Lenten Devotional,” our collection of meditations on Scripture from various members of the congregation. The breadth and depth of these reflections have added a valuable spiritual component to each day.
Pastors’ Column
Each week one of our pastors or staff members writes a column observing what is going on in our congregation, the Church and the world, and offering reflections on the Christian life and faith. Through this series of columns, we hope to connect your and our story to the enduring story of Christ; to offer pastoral reflections on our ongoing congregational life and mission; to report on news of the Presbyterian Church and Church universal; and to invite further reflection and deeper discipleship. We welcome your comments and suggestions. In other words, our words here are an invitation to continue the conversation.
This coming Sunday, March 1, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel, we will have the opportunity to encounter two men whose families came from opposite sides of WW II – Henrik Eger’s father was a Nazi propaganda officer. Bob Spitz’s mother was an Austrian Jew who rescued her husband from Dachau and Buchenwald concentration camps.
Asked about these past painful chapters in human history, Thich Nhat Hanh said recently, “Suffering and happiness are both organic, like flowers and garbage. If the flower can be on its way to becoming garbage, the garbage can be on its way to becoming a flower…During the 20th century, we have created a lot of garbage... Now it is very important for us to learn how to transform the garbage we have created into flowers.”
In many ways the season of Lent turns back the clock to help us understand who Jesus was in his life and ministry, especially as he made his way toward the crucifixion. When people of faith remember what God has done in the past, we are given courage for the present and hope for the future. It’s important to remember in order to move forward in faith.
What a joy it was last week to be welcomed to and led in worship by the youth. I loved watching as they walked into the 8:00 service to take their places with confidence and grace.
Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
Other projects and programs to honor Martin Luther King are now memories, but we will be honoring that great preacher and leader and prophet at our own MLK Day of service this coming Saturday. Because it does not fall on the long weekend, our Saturday morning of service is not one choice among the many; it stands on its own, extending the celebration and prolonging the annual moment of memory.
- Come and See Evangelism
- Supporting the Sandwich Generation
- The Lord is Come
- Remembrance and Hope
- A Season of Possibilities
- A Grateful Heart
- Thinking About Sunday
- Who are We at BMPC?
- All Saints Sunday – A Community Coming Together
- Stewardship Dedication
- Prevenient Courage and Making Ourselves Useful
- Departing
- World Communion and Celebrating Rachel’s Installation
- Food is to be Shared
- Third Grade Bibles
- Financial Peace University
- Rally Day Begins with Worship Together!
- Following, With Feeling
- Unpacking
- God is Good...All the Time!