This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. It marks the beginning of Lent, a season of contemplation. It's a time to contemplate our relationship with God, and what it means to be part of the Body of Christ.

The Ash Wednesday service begins the annual Community Lenten Services. The Orange County Ministerial Association mounts this worship series. Each year a different church in the Town of Orange hosts the service and a communal meal afterward. 

The services start at 12:15 pm and the luncheon usually begins around 1:00 pm. 

It's an opportunity for all of us to connect as Christians. Normally we only see our own church family in worship. These services are a chance to see our extended church family -- from the church across the street, the one down the block, and the others spread across town. 

Human nature being what it is, many will come only for the service hosted by their church. Those who attend two or more of these services will be deepening their faith -- and help deepen the faith of others. 

Many folks "give up" something for Lent. Consider adding something, instead. Let's make these services truly community events.

We'll be offering special music during our March 5th Lenten worship service. A vocalist will perform "Pie Jesu." So what is this tune, anyway?

First off, it has nothing to do with dessert. The title is Latin and pronounced, "PEE-ay YAY-zu" (Pious Jesus). It's part of the liturgy for the Requiem Mass of the Catholic Church. 

A Requiem Mass is a church service for the repose of the soul. It's usually celebrated to mark the passing of a person. In our faith tradition, we'd call it a memorial service.

The original text of "Pie Jesu" reads:

Pie Jesu Domine, Dona is requeim
(Pious Lord Jesus, give them rest)
Pie Jesu Domine, Dona is requeim sempiternam
(Pious Lord Jesus, give them everlasting rest)

Several composers have included "Pie Jesu" in their settings of the Requiem Mass. So there's more than one tune associated with this text. Luigi Cherubini and Antonin Dvorak used it, for example. 

Gabriel Fauré's setting from his 1890 Requiem is the most famous. And it's also the most performed worldwide.

​Although we have just finished the Advent and Christmas seasons, Lent is quickly approaching. It amazes me every year how quickly the liturgical seasons fly by. I love how each season brings something new to the forefront of our hearts and minds. During advent we contemplate and anticipate the coming of Christ to this broken world. In Christmas time we celebrate the birth of our savior. In the summer we observe the order of the year with ordinary time. And during Lent we practice penitence and repentance.

As we come up on the year mark of the COVID pandemic I find myself contemplating what it means to repent of sins. While I like to think of myself as mostly a good person, the reality is I, along with everyone else who has and will ever live, have failed and fallen short of the glory of God. Therefore, I must repent. I must repent that many times I do not love my neighbor as myself. I must repent that many times I covet what my neighbors has. I must repent that many times I hold contempt in my heart especially as the year mark gets closer and closer.

While I repent, I trust in the mercy of God. I trust that Jesus lived and died so that we all might live. I trust that I am surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. During this liturgical season of Lent, I invite you to journey down this road of repentance. I invite you to spend time in prayer and meditation, trusting that the community of saints, and Jesus the savior will surround you as you seek repentance and know the grace of God.

The peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ be with you all!

 - Pastor Rebekah
n Church and its members. Ms. Caroline Pastor Rebekah

“Jesus wept”
 - John 11:35

Most of us are familiar with this verse because it is the shortest verse the the Bible. But today, let’s talk about how pertinent and meaningful this verse is. Today, more than ever, this verse speaks to me. During this time of pandemic there are some days I need to weep.

I need to mourn the loss of expectations. I’m mourning for all the students and teacher who are missing out on their school year. I am mourning for those who have lost their source of income and for those who are working too long hours right in the face of danger. I am mourning for those who have lost their lives and who will lose their lives because of this. I am mourning for the future that will not be, and the uncertainty of the future to come.

And I know that Jesus is mourning too. So, if you are feeling like you need to grieve during this time, know you are not alone. Know that Christ is with you as you mourn; know that Christ is present while you grieve. My former professor Dr. Bill Greenway said recently that we are in a worldwide season of lent. We are in a time of lament. God laments with us. And God continues to love us. God is present with us in this time of grief.

Take the time you need to mourn and grieve, and also take time to look for the love of God in your life. I see the love of God in the gift of spring. New life abounds and the sun still shines. I see the love of God in you all as we rally together to support one another. I love you all with the love of the Lord. Until we are together again, peace be with you,

​ - Pastor Rebekah

Lent is a season of penitence; a season when we come before God aware that we have sinned and fallen short; a season very near the cross.

This season we will be focusing on the question: Where is God? This is a question I know I have asked before, this is a question I feel most of us, if not all of us, can relate to. Even Jesus uttered the words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” This question is a question of the ages, and it is a question of deep faith.

Because of our deep faith and trust in God, we question why bad things happen, especially to good people. When things happen that seem to go against the notion of a good and loving God, our faith begs the question: Where is God?

This season we will look deeper at stories that beg this same question. We will hear the words of Jesus from the cross. We will come before God with penitence knowing that we fall short, but also knowing that our loving God is there, sometimes we just have to take a different look.

As we walk closer and closer to the cross, we know the story does not end there. We know, even as we ask the question, the answer is right before us. Come, let us walk this Lenten journey together. Let us know where God is. Blessings