Dear Church,

This Sunday is full of hope…but before we get there we still have some vital work to do. We have to grapple with guilt; we have to confess our brokenness; we have to confront the shadows of fear and the reality of death. Only then can we begin to understand what God is doing upon the cross  of Jesus–and what God is doing in a garden when stones get rolled away and new life dawns again.

Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity of A Sanctified Art offers, I believe, a faithful way of doing this reflective work in her written and visual Good Friday Devotion, entitled “Were You There?”:

This refrain from a well-known Gospel song dances in circles in my mind as I wonder where Peter is when Jesus is crucified. We know that Peter follows Jesus into the courtyard of the High Priest. We know he warms himself by the fire when, again and again, he denies being one of Jesus’ disciples. Then Jesus is dragged away—to be tried, sentenced to death, and finally, killed. But where is Peter?

Since we have to fill in the gaps of the story with our imaginations, this image functions like visual Midrash (a method of interpretation, focusing on what is said and unsaid in a text, using imagination to derive additional narratives to stand alongside the scripture as it is recorded) of Peter’s experience when Jesus dies. I imagine Peter is frozen—with guilt, rage, and regret—still standing by the fire. I imagine he remains there for hours, unable to move, paralyzed by fear. I imagine he mourns privately, pleading for a miracle, praying the worst will not come, crying out again, “God forbid it!” (Matthew 16:22) In the background, the shadow of a cross flickers like flames rising from the charcoal fire.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? For Peter, the answer is “no.” He has left the God he loves.

In this image, God’s river of grace flows out from the cross and spills out before a bereaved Peter. Even in this moment of deep despair, God’s abundance rushes to greet him. Peter’s nets may feel as empty as the day Jesus crawled into his boat (Luke 5:5a), but we know that an abundant feast—around another charcoal fire—shall soon come (John 21:9-14).

The Lord Bless and Keep You,

Rev. Ben

Announcements

• Family Promise: 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.
• REMINDER…FPCoG our 5th Saturday commitment for H.O.P.E is Saturday, March 30. Please join us 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.
• One Great Hour of Sharing: This offering will be collected next two Sundays. For Palm Sunday, “Fish Banks” can be placed in the basket in the front of the sanctuary during any of our hymns. You can also make an offering online or by placing an envelope in the offering plate.
• On Easter morning bring flowers to the 11:00am sanctuary service to place on the new flowered cross! Thanks to Rich Whipple for designing and building a new, bigger cross for us!
• Lillie Circle: The Lillie Circle will hold their regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 8th at the church. The meeting will be at 7pm in the Ogburn Classroom. If you are not affiliated with a circle, please feel free to join us for fellowship, food, and Bible Study.
• Ida Joy Bible Study: In April we will be studying Deborah and her impact on Christianity and especially to women even today. We meet the second Tuesday of the month, April 9th, at 10am in the Ogburn classroom. Please join us as we continue this wonderful, insightful journey of the women of the Bible and how we are still influenced by their story today! All ages are welcome!
• Please join in sharing a meal together to benefit Able to Serve in our Fellowship Hall on Sunday, April 28th after church. The menu (catered by Angie’s Restaurant) is 1/4 chicken (white or dark meat choice), green beans, roll & dessert for $12 per person. See Melisssa Miley or Lucy Paradies to pre-purchase tickets after church on or by before April 14th as all must be pre-ordered.
• The Thursday Morning Bible Study: The Thursday Morning Bible Study continues their Lenten studies. Please join us each Thursday at 10am!
• Earth Day is April 22. We will celebrate Earth Sunday during morning worship on April 21. Don’t miss it!
• 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 exterior vertical lift has been installed near the church office and choir room. Over the next few weeks, the electrical and phone line will be installed, as well as new iron railing in the area. Once this work is complete, the lift will be inspected by the NCDOL to ensure proper installation and operation. For any questions contact Karen Lovering.
• Beginning April 9th Keller Williams is renting the Fellowship Hall for a continuing education event on Tuesdays from 8am-3pm. They will meet each week until May 21st. If you come to the church on one of those Tuesdays don’t be surprised by the full parking lot!