Beatitudes

First Church Family,
     I pray that you are doing well. We are a month and a half past Christmas and well into the New Year. While that is hard to believe, I am remembering the areas of growth and challenge we experienced in 2022 as we followed Jesus.
     And I must say that I’m tremendously excited about the places God is going to lead us in 2023.
     Over the past weeks in worship, we have been exploring Jesus’ Beatitudes. The word “beatitude” actually comes from the Latin meaning: “blessed are;” and that is exactly how Jesus staged them. This week our focus is: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
     Our Lenten series this year will focus on the ways Jesus bridges gaps in our world: giving sight to the blind, comfort to those who are buffeted by life’s storms, and finally, of course, eternal life to those who believe in and follow Him.
     The season of Lent (the 40 days, not counting Sundays, that precede Easter) begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22. On that evening (at 6:00PM) we will worship together in the Sanctuary and have ashes imposed on our foreheads, symbolizing our “marking” as Christ followers.
     May we continue to be sensitive to God’s presence in our lives.
Blessings on you,

Pastor Dave