Life includes new birth, laughter, growth, and dreams.  But life also includes loss.

We may lose our jobs or financial security.  We may struggle with our health or vitality.  There may be times we lose our faith or our dreams.

We might grieve the loss of a loved one, and someday we will all face the reality of the loss of our own lives.  What do we do when we face loss?

The pain and grief we feel in loss is very real and Christ understands our sorrow.  Yet it is in the very moment of our need that we are reminded that we are not alone; God is with us.  In the midst of despair we can know hope.  In the midst of loss we can know joy.  In the midst of death, we can know life.

Please join us during this Lenten sermon series, “That’s Life.” We will discuss how we can face loss and continue to know joy in life.

Loss is a very real part of life; but knowing we are not alone and that we still have hope – that’s life.

 

Ash Wednesday is a time of reflection, meditation, sacrifice, and repentance. As we kneel and receive the grace of the Almighty God, we recognize our need for forgiveness and mercy. We are challenged to give up our selfishness in order to pursue God’s will for our lives.

Often we choose to give up habits or material items in order to bring us closer to God and allow us to focus our time, energy and thoughts on spiritual things. These are all very meaningful ways to lay our hearts and minds before God.

But I believe God asks us to give up even greater burdens like guilt over the past and over bad decisions or mistakes that we have made. God wants us to let go of bitterness or resentment toward family members or friends for words or actions that were hurtful.

These are the burdens which hinder us from being the whole persons God created us to be. When we are weighed down by the past, we can easily miss what God has placed in front of us. When we focus our thoughts on these negative aspects of life, we are unable to experience the fullness of life found in Christ.

This year, I hope you will choose to give up something such as chocolate or caffeine. But I also pray that you will examine your heart and let God’s offer of healing take away guilt, bitterness, resentment, jealousy or anger for good!  God wants you to know His love, to receive His hope and to live a meaningful life every day - starting right now!

Rev. Phil Greenwald, Executive Pastor of Administration