When God Is Known in a Place

Sally and I are preparing to go to the Holy Land. Bags are
being packed, books are being read, and videos are being watched.
We are really preparing to go. It will be a pilgrimage. Of course,
Christians, Jews, and Muslims have been making similar
pilgrimages for millennia. There is something about visiting the
sites of so many biblical events that is compelling and enriching.
There is something about being in places that have been sites of
great devotion that increases our devotion. Tom Wright says,
“When God is known, sought, and wrestled with in a place, a
memory of that remains, which those who know and love God can
pick up” (The Way of the Lord: Christian Pilgrimage Today, 5).

Beginning on February 22 with Ash Wednesday, we also have
the chance to make another kind of pilgrimage—a spiritual
pilgrimage with Jesus. During the weeks of Lent, we are invited to
join with him as he faces down temptations, confronts corruption in
the Temple, welcomes seekers, and sets his face toward Jerusalem.
We can make this pilgrimage in our own home and church. We can
know God in those places and create memories that will remain for
others to pick up.

Our church and St. Mary’s Episcopal will come together for
the special services of Lent this year beginning with the Ash
Wednesday service, February 22 at 6:00 PM in our sanctuary. I
hope you will join us there.

Last month, I asked you pray that the right person be led to be
our Youth / Christian Education Leader. Our prayers were answered
much sooner than any of us anticipated in the calling of Heather
Mauney to that position! We are delighted to have Heather join our
team. Please introduce yourselves to her and give her a warm First
Pres. welcome. And let’s support her ministry, our youth, and the
hungry by coming to the Souper Bowl of Caring Soup and Chili
Lunch on Sunday, February 5 at 11:30.

Shalom y’all,
John