From the Pastor's Desk
Reverend David Kaul
“Except for the point, the still point. There would be no dance and there is only the dance!”
- T.S. Elliot
“Amazing Grace” Lent 2008
Dear friends in Christ,
We speak of God's grace often. But can we understand it? More importantly, do you truly believe that there is nothing you can do to make God love you more? There is nothing you can do to make God love you any less? God is like a woman who loses one of ten coins and sweeps the house until she finds it. God is like a shepherd whose little lamb wanders off and leaves the ninety-nine to find her. God's grace is like Isaac choosing to love Esau more than Jacob. It is forgiving seventy-seven times seven rather than seven times.
I can't wait to share "Amazing Grace" this years Lenten series with you at worship on weekends and on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. The Wednesday schedule includes a 12 noon service of prayer, evening soup suppers and Marty Haugen's Service of Light at 7 p.m. W'll assemble to consider what grace looks likes in action. We'll explore "What is the Best last word" W'll read the stories of Babette's Feast, the Unbroken Chain, Big Harold, and the Home for Bastards. How is grace an unnatural Act? Why must we learn to forgive instead of seeking to get even? What would the world be like without grace? W'll examine the Lovesick Father and consider the new math of grace. How can I break the cycle of unforgiveness? We'll find a place where no oddballs are allowed? What are grace notes for a deaf world? Yo'll want to come early to get a seat. The confirmation class is required to attend worship on both Wednesdays and weekends. There are 30 of them and if they bring only one parent or a sibling the place will fill up. I am more excited about sharing this message of Grace with you than any other save Good Friday, Easter, or Christmas. My prayer is that God will speak to you of his amazing love and you will leave these 6 weeks spiritually refreshed and with a new perspective on God, people and life.
If you want to purchase the resource that will inform our six weeks together, purchase Philip Yancey's"Wha's so Amazing about Grace?" Zondervan Publishing House.
We begin on Ash Wednesday, February 6, as we gather to undertake the discipline of Lent at 12 noon and 7 p.m. with a service of Ashes and Holy Communion.
Grace does not excuse sin but treasures the sinner. True grace is shocking and scandalous, it insists that we get close to the sinner and touch them with mercy and hope.
Please remember the families who are grieving the death of loved ones and our troops serving in harms way.
In Christ's love,
P. Dave