Robin and I had the privilege of reading a couple books in our granddaughter, Haddie’s, first-grade class this week. As I read one of the books which she had picked out (an excellent picture book – The Rainbow Sheep), as I glanced at the words and held the book up for her and all her friends to see, I became aware that Robin and I had reached a new threshold in reading to our granddaughters’ classes. I guessed at one of the written words, as I held the page up for the class to see, and one of the young girls corrected me: “it says day!” Oh my, these kids can now read, and they’ll check Grandpa’s reading!
As we enter Lent, I want remind us that we have passed a threshold in our reading too. When we see daffodils springing up, we read hope. When we pass through a tough stretch, or grapple with a problem whose solution has not yet been revealed, we read pray. When our paths cross with someone going through a tough stretch, maybe reaching their breaking point, we read love or listen or comfort. When we’re confronted by our fragility, our giving into temptation, or when we needlessly hurt a loved one or happen to be hurt by another’s words or actions, we read forgive. And all over the place, in the hills and the valleys, in the darkness and in the light, it reads Jesus. And the word on the page is thank you.
As we enter Lent, I want remind us that we have passed a threshold in our reading too. When we see daffodils springing up, we read hope. When we pass through a tough stretch, or grapple with a problem whose solution has not yet been revealed, we read pray. When our paths cross with someone going through a tough stretch, maybe reaching their breaking point, we read love or listen or comfort. When we’re confronted by our fragility, our giving into temptation, or when we needlessly hurt a loved one or happen to be hurt by another’s words or actions, we read forgive. And all over the place, in the hills and the valleys, in the darkness and in the light, it reads Jesus. And the word on the page is thank you.
The Lenten Tree of Life: A journey toward renewal
As we enter the season of Lent, the bulletin board outside the church office features “The Lenten Tree of Life” — a bare, brown tree. The tree symbolizes a quiet transformation that begins long before we can see it. Throughout Lent, we will watch this tree slowly “come to life,” reminding us that God works within us in the same way: gently, patiently, and often before we even notice. We invite you to pause, reflect, and visit the board each week as we journey together toward Easter.
There are two ways to participate in the "growing" of the tree.
"Laying Down our burdens" - THE STONES
During these early weeks of Lent, you are invited to lay down what weighs on your heart.
Take a stone and, in a word or short phrase, write:
Let this be a simple act of surrender — a symbol of trusting God to carry what we cannot.
Take a stone and, in a word or short phrase, write:
- Something you are letting go of
- A burden you are releasing to God
- A habit, worry, or heaviness you are giving up for Lent
Let this be a simple act of surrender — a symbol of trusting God to carry what we cannot.
"Lord, Grow Something New in Me" - THE TAGS
As Lent unfolds, God begins planting new life within us. You are invited to take a tag and write:
- A practice you hope to take on
- A gift you pray God will grow in you
- A hope, intention, or prayer for new spiritual life
from Dave Nock
Lent
Pause
Reflect
Connect
Pray
From now until Easter
Clear the clutter and give back!
1 - Put it on the calendar
2 - Start "Spring Cleaning"
3 - Bring it to Compton's
March 14th
9am - noon
On March 14 from 9 am - noon Compton's Foodland will host the District 29 "Clear the Clutter and Give Back!" day.
Got bulk trash? Piles of papers to shred? Old clothes ready for a new home?
Here's what's happening:
Got bulk trash? Piles of papers to shred? Old clothes ready for a new home?
Here's what's happening:
- Free Bulk Trash Drop-Off - Clear out oversized junk items
- Free Document Shredding - Protect your information and declutter
- Clothing Donations to ThriftSmart - Give gently used clothes a second life