source for quotes and blog photo: https://quotefancy.com/margaret-feinberg-quotes

Dear Church,

Over the last few weeks, a question has repeatedly emerged in conversations with church members, friends, family, and my own prayers. The exact wording has been different in each of those encounters but the query is more or less this: “Where are you God in our world today? What are we supposed to do and how are we supposed to act with all these horrible, horrible things happening?”

It’s a question our world has long asked in difficult, challenging times–heck even Jesus asks it on the cross, wondering why God has forsaken him. In Bible study this week, however, a friend helped me realize that while the question is significant and urgent, it is one that could use a helpful re-framing.

“Part of the issue,” he said, “is that the worst stuff is as David Brinkley said ‘newsworthy.’ So it gets the most attention.” The implication is that the goodness and joy of the world often gets obscured because it is not nearly as exciting, compelling, and enticing for viewers’ eyes and advertisers’ dollars. The call of the church, our friend seemed to suggest, is to make time for that joy as well.

This idea was a needed deep breath for me. it echoed the words of Margaret Feinberg, an author, speaker, biblical teacher, and podcast host, whose main theme is finding joy in the everyday discipline of living. These three  quotes I find especially helpful in this regard:

• “Wide awake to the presence of God, I realized I had been so focused on asking why a good God allowed bad things to happen that I was missing out on the nearness of God all along. In becoming preoccupied with the why, I was missing the who.”
• “Joy emanates out of the abiding sense of God’s fierce love for us.”
• “Always remain suspicious that God is up to something good.”

I’m still turning these ideas over in my heart and mind, but I think, for now, the point is this…

We must take the pain of the world seriously.

We must ask “Why? “Where?” and any number of other questions.

But we must also never lose sight of the “Who” and “Whose.” Who God is. Whose we and the world are.

May the trust that the love at the center of those question’s answers,  is still, and always active. And may it be most active in us through the joy we can thankfully, even stubbornly at times, still pursue.

The Lord Bless and keep you As We Do So,

Rev. Ben

Announcements

• Family Promise: It’s time to start thinking about Family Promise again, and Easter comes early this year! We will be providing all the fixings for Easter baskets. We will need Easter candy (all candy must be individually wrapped), Easter grass, and small toys/party favors. Donation boxes are located in the breezeway and the classroom across from the office. All Easter basket donations are due at church by March 24, 2024 so the families have time to assemble baskets for their children. Our week to host dinner for our families is April 7-13, 2024. As we get closer to this date there will be a signup sheet posted in the narthex. We will need a main entrée and two sides for about 15 people. We will also need a driver to take the meals up to the Day Center each night. Please consider helping with this mission.
• Nomination Forms: Nomination forms for both the “Outstanding Older Adult Award” and the “Presbyterian Women Honorary Life Membership” are in the narthex. Please prayerfully consider who you would like to nominate!
• Ida Joy Bible Study: The Ida-Joy Bible Study meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10am at the church in the Ogburn Sunday School classroom. The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 12th. This year they will be studying the Women of the Bible. It promises to be very interesting learning about many of the more obscure women, along with more notables. Since Easter is in March this year, the group will be diving into Mary Magdalene. Ruby Miller-Ousley, Cheryle Prater, and Regina Alexander will be serving as teachers. All ages and genders are welcome to attend.
• Church Workday: Calling all “weekend warriors”!!! The Building & Grounds Team will be holding a workday on Saturday, March 16. Join us as we spruce up the church grounds. We’ll begin at 10am with plans to wrap up by noon. Grab your favorite yard tools & gardening gloves & join us as we take care of one of the many blessings God has gifted us.
• REMINDER…FPCoG our 5th Saturday commitment for H.O.P.E is Saturday, March 30. A sign-up sheet is on the table near the hallway in the Narthex. Please sign up to provide food, help prepare, set up, serve, clean up, or come and converse with the guests at H.O.P.E. Help provide a day of dignity and help nourish the bodies and souls of the homeless in our community! If you have any questions, please contact Julie Tedder.
• The Thursday Morning Bible Study: The Thursday Morning Bible Study has resumed meeting after the break for the holidays. They just finished taking “A Brief Tour of the Sermon on the Mount” and are looking forward to beginning their Lenten studies. Please join us each Thursday at 10am!
• The Adult Sunday School class meets each Sunday morning at 9:30 am for thoughtful discussion and fellowship in the comfort of your home or live & in person. They are using THE PRESENT WORD Bible Study. Please contact Karen Lovering or Mike Koenig for more information. Hope to see you there!
• Walking Group: The Walking Group meets each Tuesday weather permitting. The walking group meets at the Village at 6pm to walk. We will park at Cadence assisted living on Minglewood Dr. and walk 2 laps around the Village. If you have any questions, contact Martha Long. In the event there is inclement weather, we’ll just gather the following week.
• Liftavator update: The Building & Grounds Team is pleased to announce that the initial deposit has been placed for the installation of the exterior vertical lift to be placed near the church office and choir room. Information on the liftavator and FAQ sheets can be found in the narthex. For any questions contact Karen Lovering and Komivi Ekoule.