Jesus said, “It is finished.”
With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30
– St. Tomas UCC Good Friday podcast worship service
 Good Friday Revised.mp3

The disciples’ journey with Jesus was paved with tests and trials. Maundy Thursday relates to those times in our own lives when our faith seems invincible; when we think we can ace every test that comes along. Holy Thursday is the most fragile day of our journey on the road to Easter because we fail the test, like Peter. Even before dawn breaks, Peter denies Jesus. The truth is, we, too, make promises we don’t keep. Yet on this journey, Holy Thursday also offers us hope. We realize we cannot trust ourselves and again, like Peter, once we reach the other side of Easter, we will discover, as he did, the power of Christ’s love that never fails.

St. Thomas UCC podcast for Maundy Thursday service  Maundy Thursday.mp3

In these times, Lord, we seek peace, comfort and healing. Though we are creating new ways to just ‘be’, and finding ways to care for one another, we ask for continued compassion and strength to see this through. May your Church be a sign of hope. Hear our prayers, Lord. Amen.
St. Thomas UCC podcast for 3.29 Click here or visit our website  Worship 03-29-2020.mp3

We have stepped out into the last full week of March, still in the season of Lent. Though we may be stressed and anxious, I pray we are able to make room for grace-filled hearts and armfuls of hopefulness to journey with us. Remember, too, Jesus’ commandment, ‘to love your neighbor as yourself’, especially during these uncertain times. Below are glimpses of God from this past week. Prayers for all.

From Genesis to the present, God has always created new things. No matter where we are, what we are doing, or what is happening in the world around us, God never stops doing something new. Because God does, we are called to create new things as well. St. Thomas will try something new. Let’s gather together for worship at 10:15 on Sunday and listen to music and God;s word.  Worship_3-22-2020 (revised).mp3

This is the first day of spring, and currently, the morning fog has settled on the outdoor landscape around me. It may be difficult to think spring and enjoy the already blooming flowers, with COVID-19 ‘blooming’ around us – weighing heavy on us like the fog.

This is not our first time journeying through an unexpected challenge. Not much comfort, perhaps. But when the fog lifts, there will be plenty of opportunity to step outside and enjoy the day in our own spaces. Though we need to be mindful of the new rubrics, like social distancing, we can still be open to listening for the Spirit to move us to do a new thing.

As we continue our walk through Lent and transition from winter to spring, I offer grace-filled prayers for the world. As we face these uncertain times and navigate the difficult spaces that accompany them, I encourage to look for new ways to just ‘be’. As many other churches, St. Thomas is closed through March 29. Look for the audio clip for worship at 10:15 on Sunday. It is a new way for us to be The Church. Shalom.

The National State of Emergency is happening in the midst of the Lent season. Though we may be feeling anxious and worried, and seem as though we are walking through the wilderness, we should take a moment to look around. It is the last week of winter. Maybe noticing the blue sky and the flowers already blooming, will be a balm to your spirit. Spring will arrive in a a few days – a new season, new life, new things. All glimpses of God. These are my glimpses of God this week.

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Our Confirmation Class is working on a photo project, Glimpses of God. The assignment is to take pictures of where they see God at work in their lives: nature, family, friends, pets, and so on.

As we journey through this Season of Lent, I thought I would do the assignment, too. Here are the photos I have taken so far. I’d like to share them with you.

I had my six-month eye exam today. While of course, I would prefer to have my vision restored, I am grateful there have been no changes. I asked my ophthalmologist if there were any new developments/research regarding non-interior ischemic optic neuropathy. His response was no, not yet. He also added, that I am young enough to maybe see something happen in that field in the future. One never knows.

So I continue to remain hopeful!

Today is a special day. Today marks three years since my vision loss. While there is no Hallmark card or cake (that’s alright!) –  I will celebrate! Celebrate my journey (the joys and the challenges) and the ability to continue to find ways to navigate the world around me, so very different from the world I once knew! Grateful for the help I have received along the way!

Some reflective thoughts earlier today:

• I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
                               Philippians 4:13
• For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ‘        Jeremiah 29:11
• The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.                            Helen Keller
• That old law about ‘an eye for an eye’ leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing.                   Martin Luther King, Jr.