Down by the Creek – March 2018

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Friends,

It was great to see so many involved in the recent pancake supper on Ash Wednesday. We focused on the supper this year as an opportunity to reach out into the community. You successfully did that. We had several people (with lots of children) who came to an ACPC event for the first time. They were welcomed by our hospitality and food. Many people, including many young people, ventured upstairs to take part in the prayer stations and place ashes on their head. I was blessed by one of the children in the church making a cross on my forehead.

We are now in the season of Lent. Lent is our invitation to examine our lives and our relationship with God. We observe Lent during these 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. 40 is an important symbolic number in the Bible. We were reminded in worship that the Lord sent rain for 40 days while Noah was in the ark. Jesus also fasted for 40 days while he faced temptation from Satan. These biblical stories of 40 days give us a foundation for our own spiritual repentance and renewal.

Speaking of renewal, we have several baptisms scheduled for March and April. In baptism we are reminded that together we make commitments to raise these children and support them in the Christian faith. It’s important that these families trust this congregation to fulfill our responsibility. Blessings to you during this season Lent.

Peace,
Sam


Devotional

My Grandchild’s Hand

In your eyes I see the future and a need to save the earth… so that you might walk the fields of God and know that life has worth.

In your presence I can see now that God continues on… and God sent you as a glimpse of hope when I thought all hope was gone.

When I was young I questioned God I had to know the truth… And God closed God’s eyes and bowed God’s head and God sent you down as proof.

It was deep inside your laughter that I learned what life’s about… for the miracle of knowing you has left me without a doubt.

As time passed how could I know the best was yet to be… Through my grandchild’s hand my God reached out and God found the love in me.

-Jill Grubb- Travoss