Pastor’s Corner - April 29, 2021

Dear Friends,

Have you ever received a course correction? I am not sure what training program or class used “course correction” as a way of describing when something needs adjusted but it comes to mind for me sometimes. I had one of those experiences in worship the Sunday after Easter. Pastor Marc helped me remember the importance that the Risen One is also still the Crucified One. I realized that after the season of Lent focused on confession and repentance, I often shift my language very much to resurrection language. I am ready for hope – ready for spring – ready for new life, but as I shared a few weeks ago, life is non-binary. Life is both and. Life is full of suffering and healing. Life is full of tears of pain and tears of joy. Life is full of songs of mourning and songs of celebration.

How do we hold the ministry, mission, and passion of Jesus our Leader and our Liberator who is the Crucified One and the Risen One in our beings? For me, prayer and being in community allow me to both continue to follow Jesus as he asks us to be people who listen to and be with those who are hurting in any way that we may understand how to be good neighbors while also giving thanks and praise for the guidance, grace, strength, power, and wisdom we receive when being open to the healing and hope of the Crucified and Risen One. We are loved and directed by the indwelling of Jesus and the Spirit he breathed upon his first disciples and that we continue to be filled with. We are created for relationship with God, one another, and all creation. We are not alone. You are not alone. You are beloved and treasured. You are created with gifts, experiences, and interests. I am grateful to be part of the community of Friedens with you as we each listen to God’s call to share the love of Jesus with others in the unique ways for which we were created. I thank God for you! Please be in touch if there ways we can be of encouragement to you on this journey of life or if you’d like to learn more about the ministry teams of Friedens and how you can partner with others.

With deep gratitude,

Sarah

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39