by Pastor Tiffany Sundeen

TRUST!  NEW LIFE WILL SPRING UP!

As I write this on April 15th, 11 inches of snow blankets the landscape.  Snowplows just pushed aside the snowy obstacles on South University and pathways are being created all over the city with hyperactive snow blowers and shovels.  Despite persistent winter, the new life of Spring and Summer gather strength under the weight of winter.  Grasses gather their roots, trees signal the leaf buds, gardeners start seedlings in makeshift nurseries with the certain hope that new life will yield abundant fruit.

May is a month of trusting the new life of Easter and being prepared for the growing time of Pentecost- when we are given the Holy Spirit who urges us grow-wards.  Seedlings need constant encouragement, nourishment, and intentional care so that they don’t wither and die.  When we think of our faith life as faith seedlings that need care, we may yield to a greater faith understanding. 

Water your faith as you remember the baptismal promises that God forgives you, loves you and gives you eternal life in the name of Christ.  Start each day by making the sign of the cross on your forehead.

Feed your faith through regular worship, Bible study, and prayer.  Pastor Bill’s Thursday morning lectionary (assigned Bible verses) Bible study happens at 10:30 am, trying Reading Religiously on May 10th at Barnes and Noble from 12:00-1:30pm as you discuss “A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories” by Flannery O’Connor, come to Summer Circle Bible Study happening June 18, July 16, and August 20th from 9:30-11am. 

Deepen your faith roots through service to others.  Habitat for Humanity events happen constantly, Growing Together Gardening on the corner of 25th Street and 40th Avenue South is each Thursday evening throughout the summer, try ushering, greeting or serving communion in worship on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Witness your faith by sharing time together at the Young Couples Date Night on May 10th from 7-9pm, don’t miss May 12th worship for Music Sunday, Quilter Sunday and a Mother’s Day program that will knock your sandals off!,  try Faithfully Fit Forever Thursdays at 9am in Room 228, go on the Lake of the Woods Fishing Trip with Pastor Kris and friends June 4-6th, spend Sunday June 16th at the Olivet Day at the Redhawks and so much more!

Trust in the new life that God promises… no matter what obstacles come your way.  Faith needs community and our community needs faith as we live and love our lives in Christ.  Celebrate the many ways resurrection is made real and the seeds of faith bear fruits of the Spirit.

Gratefully,
Pastor Tiffany