Dear Church Family,
I’m writing with a brief recap of our Epiphany learnings, a few questions for you to reflect on as we move into Lent, and some announcements about upcoming events.
Re-cap
Over the Epiphany season, on Sundays, we have been journeying through Jesus’ life along with Luke. We’ve made it through Luke 1-5:11 and have learned:
- There was an expectation that the coming Messiah would be a physically powerful ruler who would renew the worldly power of the Jewish people.
- Jesus was born into a family who wasn’t seen as powerful or rich in a place that wasn’t exactly known for growing leaders.
- Mary and Joseph didn’t really invest in making Jesus a global superpower, but made sure Jesus was brought up knowing and adhering to the rituals of the synagogue and temple.
- Jesus doubled down on this rejection of human-centered power by humbling himself, submitting to be baptized alongside the people who were in the process of repenting
- He went into the wilderness, and instead of waging a physical battle, he took on the task of fighting a spiritual battle, denying the devil on behalf of us all. No other leader before him had been able to withstand all of that temptation.
- He went back to his hometown where he faced the reality that he would never meet their expectations of him. They cast him out when they realized he was actually helping “outsiders” and sometimes even “the enemy” heal instead of spending his energy helping fight for the jewish people.
- Jesus had a miraculous power and authority over the inner workings of people, and took a special interest in setting people free from demons and sickness.
- He befriended and called people like Simon Peter who was willing to give his own resources and time even when he was tired and had lost hope; was willing to take a risk even when he was so certain that it wouldn’t work; and was humbled, realizing the weight of his humanity in the light of Jesus’s infinite authority.
Reflection
Now, we are at the end of the Epiphany season, and rounding the corner to Lent.
Before you enter into a time of reflecting on your humanity (which Lent annually calls us to do), I want to invite you to take a little time to look back on those things God has revealed to you in this season with these reflection questions (feel free to journal on your own or invite someone to coffee and discuss!):
- What are the major things that have happened in your life since Epiphany (January 6th)?
- Where did you see God?
- What is something new you learned, or a revelation you received, about/from God?
- How have you wrestled with God or with spiritual ideas and understanding? What has been challenging for you to grasp?
- What has brought you joy?
- How have all of these things impacted your ongoing spiritual transformation?
- What new understanding will you carry with you into Lent?
I will be taking time to think through these questions as well, and would welcome any conversation (you know this about me by now, right?) by email, phone, text, or in person!
Coming Up
We have quite a busy week this week! Please join us for as much of the following as you can:
- Fellowship Potluck – This Sunday, March 2nd, we will begin the tradition of hosting a pot-luck on communion Sundays (the first Sunday of each month) after worship. Please bring a dish to share!
- Shrove Tuesday – We will close out the Epiphany season on Tuesday, March 4th with a celebration called Shrove Tuesday (more info here). You all know I’m from Louisiana, so I couldn’t leave this tradition behind. Come join us at 6pm in the Bright Hope Laurel Fellowship Hall for some of Laura’s pancakes! Please bring some kind of cooked breakfast meat to share. Also, if you would like to donate eggs, milk, flour, and or butter, please leave those in the kitchen this Sunday when you come for worship.
- Ash Wednesday – We will gather with other congregations around the area for Ash Wednesday service at 12 noon on Wednesday, March 5th at Mars Hill University’s Broyhill Chapel.
On Sundays during Lent, we will continue learning about the life of Jesus through his teachings. The words that came from his mouth were somewhat controversial, but I have a feeling you all will rejoice in the truth he shares, because I have seen you live into it in so many different ways.
May God bless you and keep you all until we meet again!
With Hope,
Pastor Shonnie
