Grace and Peace Beloved St. Lukers,
I’ve been thinking about this pandemic (how can you not) and this Lenten journey. I shared a piece on this last Sunday, but lately I’ve been thinking of this pandemic like a dark heavy journey through a long dark tunnel. It seems like we are beginning to see the light at the other end, we are beginning to see a future ahead and that we need to keep moving, keep caring for our neighbor, keep doing all we can to help see our families, our community, our nation, and our neighborhoods through this pandemic and to the other side. I know it is exhausting. I’m tired of it all. But we need to remember that glimmer of light that is becoming more clear, will eventually get brighter as we journey closer…even if it flickers.
We are also more than halfway through this Lenten journey, this Hero’s Journey toward Jerusalem, toward the cross, and I hope that with each day and each week we are all stepping closer to that place, that heart, that frame of mind of the eternal grace and love of God in Jesus Christ. Easter/Resurrection Sunday is closer than ever before. But we have to keep moving, we have to keep journeying through Lent, stepping closer and closer to Holy Week, even though we have to journey through the darkness of Good Friday, we look toward that bright light of Resurrection on Easter morning.
I also would be remiss if I didn’t mention St. Luke’s Lenten Offering. This year’s offering will support two very important ministries:
- St. Luke’s Supporting HEARTS weekly food distribution that needs additional funding to continue providing fresh produce and pre-packaged meals for Central Florida’s arts/entertainment community impacted by the pandemic. Food and healthcare are the two areas people cut back on in financial crisis. Supporting HEARTS continues to be an important source of light and hope, as well has sustenance and sustainability for so many within our community.
- ZOE ministries in Rwanda and Zimbabwe, through which St. Luke’s will sponsor 100 children who are vulnerable and orphaned so they can transform from “beggars to bosses” in just three years as part of their empowerment and education programs.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday for worship as we read John 3:14-21 and think about the third baptismal vow: “Do you confess Jesus Christ as your savior put your whole trust in his grace and promise to serve him as your Lord?”
Grace and peace,
Pastor Jad
