Pastor Laura

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

February places you and me amid two seasons of the Church Year. The Epiphany season is the time we recall Jesus revealed to the world through the visit of the Wise Men. It ends on February 19 this year. The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22, with 40 days of preparation for Holy Week. The theme for Epiphany is Jesus as the light for the world. The theme for Lent is repentance and acts of mercy in response to Jesus suffering for the sake of the world. Given the seeming contrast between these two seasons, we may have a difficult time moving from a joyful season into one of reflection. It doesn’t help that the month of February is cold and dark with Christmas behind us and spring still weeks if not months away.

Yet God’s blessings abound in this and every season. As evidence, I share this St. Andrew’s story in the hopes that it might warm your heart to celebrate Jesus as our both our light and the one who gave his whole self in love for you:

Not long ago, several members of our Growth and Outreach team were meeting in the narthex. They were discussing ideas to encourage more people to participate in the monthly coffee hours. One team member suggested that perhaps a cabinet, easily accessible to people and stocked with coffee supplies, might persuade more folks to join in refreshments and conversation each month. As the discussion went on, one member strolled over to the counter and casually picked up a flyer there. It actually advertised a cabinet that the owner wanted to sell.

The flyer was passed around, and one team member blurted out in excitement, “I didn’t even have time to pray for this cabinet yet!” The phone number with no name was listed on the flyer. The number was dialed and answered by none other than Ruth Cochios, a faithful and hardworking member of our congregation! The cabinet turned out to be perfect for the purposes of the Growth and Outreach team. And Ruth is filled with joy every time she sees it adorning her church home.

As you look at the cabinet your next time at worship, and share in fellowship at our coffee hours, remember this story and how God continually surprises us in amazing and unexpected ways. And when days seem long and dark, trust that Christ will be your light and will be surprising you in amazing and unexpected ways too.

Celebrating Christ’s wonderful surprises with you,
Pastor Laura

P.S. The Growth and Outreach team hopes that your committee or team will sign up to sponsor the coffee hour one Sunday between our services. Please see the sign-up sheet attached to that special cabinet.