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When I teach Old Testament I often say you really need to know these two words: exile and exodus. People can picture exodus, that moment when the Red Sea was parted by Moses and the people of God exited slavery in Egypt and trounced through the desert seeking a new life.

But how to explain Exile. We don't have any modern metaphors that work. Exile is when the temple was destroyed in 587 BC and the people of God, the Israelites, were sent to live in a foreign land. It was devastating. They suffered economic hardship, losing their businesses and jobs. Families were separated as some were deported and others stayed behind to tend essential businesses. They lost their sense of home and belonging, living suddenly as refugees in a land where their language and culture and religion was not the norm.

But what is super hard to explain is that the Israelites lost the temple. The temple was everything to them. It was not just the place they went to worship, it was how they gathered as a people. It was the core of their identity. Temple was also the governing authority.

But now we know. All I have to say is pandemic. And you know. And I know. We ache because we cannot gather in the beauty of the sanctuary to sing and hug and pray and praise. To ask "how was your week?" and to share a common loaf. We are zooming and we are worshiping for sure. But heck. I gotta tell you. I miss shaking your hand. I miss seeing your eyes. I miss the sound of your voice. I miss the feeling that happens only when we are together. The temple still stands. But we do not stand in it.

So here is how God worked in exile. God raised up a prophet named Jeremiah. And Jeremiah sent a message of confident assurance to all God's scattered people. To those at a distance God said, "I will write my law on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people." When they could not come to the temple, they were promised that God would come to them. Until that day when we can gather inside our sacred home, we take comfort in knowing that God's love is written on our hearts.

Grace and peace to you,
Carla


This Week's News:



Palm Sunday Online Service - This Sunday is Palm Sunday. Be sure to join us as we gather for worship via live  stream at 9:01, 10:00 or 11:00 a.m, or via Facebook Live.  
 


Holy Week and Easter Services Streamed - Holy Week services look a little different this year, but we will still walk in Jesus' steps toward the resurrection. Click here for more information.


Easter offering - This year's Easter offering will support two agencies who serve individuals in our community who do not have access to quality health care, KC Care Health Center and Care Beyond the Boulevard. More details and giving information here. 


Monday Night Classes - Dr. Mike Graves will stream his next Monday night class on two Mondays, April 6 and 13. The class will air on the church's live stream channel at two times each evening, 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Click here for more information.
Thank you  - We are grateful for your financial support, which is allowing the church to continue to serve in ministry with you through these uncertain times. If you would like to share your weekly offering electronically,  please do so at  this link , or text the word General to 816-484-3399 to give quickly and easily.
 

Children, Youth and Families updates - Click  here  for an update and links to resources for Children and Families from Catherine, and   here  for an update from Tyler.

Sewing Team Makes Face Masks- Our sewing team is making face masks to help our medical community. You can help by donating  materials or by making masks yourself at home!  Click here more information.
Native Plant Sale Pre-Orders - Despite the social distancing we are all practicing, working outside in the yard or garden is still allowed. Pre-order native plants for your yard or garden at this link.