February was a very busy month and for those of you who read my blog posts you will have noticed I have taken the past three weeks off. I apologize for no notice to you. February got a bit overwhelming. The good news is we are now in March!
March holds the promise of spring. This year Easter falls on the last day of March. What a way to end a month! And of course, if you are from a liturgical background, you will also have the opportunity to celebrate Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. All significant days in the church leading up to Easter.
For me, March began with a wedding. On March 1st, I had the privilege to officiate at the wedding of a young woman who I have known since she was a little girl. It was a beautiful wedding, and she was a beautiful bride. Then on Sunday, I got to baptize two children and welcome three new members to the church and I presided over communion. A perfect trifecta weekend if you ask me!
These are the precious holy moments we get to be part of as a pastor. They are the special events in the lives of our congregation members, and we celebrate with them in these moments. These are the moments every individual wants or should want to celebrate with others because we want or should want everyone to witness what we are committing our lives to.
When we marry someone, we are saying to another person we have chosen them to spend our life with and want them to be a witness to our life as we journey together on the adventure we call marriage. The journey will sometimes be smooth, and it will sometimes be rocky. It will be filled with exquisite moments, and it will bring deep heartbreak. Being married takes a lot of trust, loyalty, love, and making the choice to be dedicated to this person you have chosen.
When we chose to be baptized or when we have our children baptized, we are saying we want to live a life, as best we can in our human weaknesses, as a Christian. We want to live according to the principles Jesus taught. In fact, what we aspire to, is to live a life according to the example Jesus set as he lived his life. We will fail at times. We will say things we don’t mean. We will act in ways we shouldn’t. We will hold onto “truths” that really aren’t. We will hold onto beliefs that we think are biblical but are not. But we will also succeed. When we help someone in need. When we offer comfort to someone. When we give. When we forgive. When we learn more about our faith and let our faith change those long held but erroneous beliefs. When we keep trying to do what is best in any given situation.
When we gather as a community of faith and share communion. This precious and holy meal where we join with Jesus and remember all he did for us. As we laugh with one another and share our lives. As we realize that we are a child of God who loves us more than we could ever conceive. As we forgive not just those who have hurt us, but ourselves for the ways we have fallen short. As we realize we are created in God’s image and God has called us to be people of light into this world filled with darkness.
It was a beautiful weekend with a wedding, baptisms, and communion. A great start to the month of March. May your March be blessed.
Peace,
Pastor Beth
Beth's Blog 