Community Church

By Johan Dodge

Reverend

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, and given the state of things and out of an abundance of caution, Community Church elected to pass on the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday begins a season of 40 days, not counting Sundays, in which we are invited to reflect upon our mortality and the ways in which we have fallen short of the invitation to be caught up in God’s divine love for all of creation.

This year, even more than last year—when we are all still shellshocked from the coronavirus—I think we have spent enough time thinking about our mortality and the ways we have fallen short. So instead of ashes this year, we are focusing on hope.

There is a hymn that we often sing in the church called “The Hymn of Promise,” which says: “In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed an apple tree, in cocoons a hidden promise—butterflies will soon be free.” We have all spent many days in lockdown during this pandemic but for many of us, this wasn’t our first time of trial or season of suffering. Some have lost a spouse or a child; some never found a spouse or had a spouse who was abusive and had to flee for their life. Maybe you offered your life in service to your country, and though you came home from war, the war still haunts you. We have all endured times of trial in some capacity and those times of trial, if they didn’t break us, made us stronger.

You have a story to tell of overcoming adversity. You have stories of hope to draw upon in this time of trial as well. Let us join together to share our stories this week.

If you have been wrestling with the deep questions recently, join Community Church virtually on Zoom on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 9:50 a.m. for worship and fellowship. Call the church office or email leisurewccsue@yahoo.com to receive the Zoom link. Those who don’t have a computer or Facebook can call (562) 431-2503 and listen to the weekly message beginning Sunday evening.

We have a Lenten resource available in the church office with daily Scripture and weekly prayer Contact the church to have one sent to you, or come by and we will give you a copy.

As always, if you are in need without another way to address it, call the church office to leave me a direct message at (562) 431-2503.