New life will come forth from what seems dead!

Dear Congregation,

The peace of Christ be with you!

Last Sunday before worship choir practice resumed in Kelsey Hall before worship. The goal of Music Director Jay Harrigan and the choir is to be ready to sing on Easter Sunday. As I heard them singing the “Three-fold Alleluia” the sound of their voices gladdened my heart. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed hearing the choir sing in Sunday worship these past two years! I’m sure you’ve missed them too.

Also last Sunday it was determined that face masks would now be optional in worship and for other CCC activities. How lovely it was to announce that change, to be able to see each other’s facial expressions, and to be free of the irritants that face masks impose. How wonderful to think that we are, hopefully, past the need to protect ourselves and others from the Covid virus by masking up. It has been a long, hard pandemic time.

And so, I really resonated with this graphic illustration and its message, “MAY WE GROW BACK NOT TO WHAT WAS BUT INSTEAD TOWARDS WHAT CAN BECOME.” The illustration reminds me of this scripture often used in Advent as a prophecy of the birth of Jesus. Isaiah 11:1 states, “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” (NRSV)

 “New life will come forth from what seems dead” is the promise of the verse, grounded in the assurance that God can and does act in unexpected ways to make a way when there seems no way. God is full of surprises! I invite you to join me in looking forward to what CCC can become in the future, as we honor our past, but fix our eyes and our hope on what we can become.

I invite those of you who are comfortably able—return to in-person worship with us in the Sanctuary. Your presence does make a difference and is missed. We will also continue to live-stream on Facebook. See you in church!

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Candy