First Church Family:
A number of persons in our church family have received the second COVID vaccine, which is wonderful. After receiving a call from the hospital weeks ago, asking whether I would want to get one if I could, I said “yes,” and set up an appointment. I was able to get my second shot Monday and did have some reaction to it. I pray you are doing well and that you will have the opportunity to be vaccinated soon.
Next Wednesday, February 17, is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is the forty days (not counting Sundays) that precede Easter and is a time of taking inventory of the quality of one’s walk with God, as we remember the path Jesus took to Jerusalem, where He would be crucified and resurrected.
Most Ash Wednesdays, we are marked with ashes on our foreheads in the Sanctuary, symbolizing our need for confession and repentance, and also symbolizing our relationship, one with another, as followers of Christ.
Next Wednesday, at 5:15 p.m., we will livestream a brief Ash Wednesday service in our Sanctuary and offer drive-thru imposition of ashes afterwards.
The reason for that timing is this: many people work until 5:00 and need time to get ready to participate online. And many others are not comfortable driving after sunset (6:10 that day). Following the service, at 5:45, I will be outside (where we serve Drive-Thru Communion) and will be able to impose the ashes (in a completely sterile way) on your forehead, hopefully finishing before or
right after sundown.
Once again, we are making adjustments for worship during the continued COVID outbreak. Please continue to pray for us as we seek God’s mind and heart in challenging times.
Blessings on you as we prepare to move into the sacred season of Lent.
Pastor Dave