The last two days have felt like Spring. The lengthening of the days (hence the season of Lent), the warmer weather, the sun and fresh air; all this has turned my thoughts to the season to come. I know we'll probably have a few more snowstorms before then, but this glimpse of Spring reminds me that better days are ahead.
This is the meaning of hope. Taking our glimpses and experiences of better days carry us through the storms that crop up. We know life will place burdens upon us, but we also know with confidence that life will place much joy, peace and love upon our hearts.
This Lent, we continue to share our lives of hope. During the epistle at the morning service, members of the parish will tell us about a time that love burst through unexpectedly. We will also follow our "Becoming and Anti-racist" disciplines each week. for we have hope that God's love will prevail through us as we become aware of the ways racism impacts our own lives and liberate ourselves from its hold on us.
It even smells like Spring today. We know the springtime of our Lord is on its way.
In the Way of Love,
Debbie
This Sunday
This is the Second Sunday in Lent and we hear of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah, Peter's rebuke, and the call for us to take up our cross.
At 10:00 am, our preacher will be The Reverend Cliff Cutler. Following the voluntary, we will hear a new recording from our Grace Church Choir of "Come thou fount of every blessing." Tony Boisvert will offer the Epistle on Hope. Tom Gaither and Cynthia Duda will be assisting with the readings and the prayers. You may join the service via Zoom or on Facebook Live.
At 4:00 pm, Paige Nalipinski will give the reflection. The music and prayers will come from the Celtic tradition. This service is also available on Zoom and Facebook Live.
If you would like to offer a 2-3 minute reflection for upcoming Celtic Evensongs, please email gcis1@verizon.net.
Kristin Gourley, on her cancer diagnosis, that she made find healing and find the inner peace she seeks.
John and Emily, as they welcome their new baby into their lives.
Family of Bill Morgan as they grieve
Linda Whalen
Bob Peterson
Nancy Brown
Brian Peterson
Robert Squillaro
Jenny
Deb Papps
Derek Fuller and Family
Mary Knutsen
Jamie Knutsen
Salem Public Schools
If you have prayer requests, please email regathering@gracechurchsalem.org by Tuesday at noon for publication in that week's e-news. Your request will remain on the list until Easter unless you ask to have it removed.
Walking the Way of Lent: Week I
This year during Lent we hope to focus our habits of praying and fasting in an intentional way with a focus on anti-racism work. Lent is a time for introspection, confession, fasting, listening, learning, and praying. Though we cannot physically be together during this time we can join each other in corporate worship, prayer, fasting, and listening. We continue to focus our intentions and attention to the work of dismantling white supremacy and learning more about the work of becoming anti-racist.
To that end we invite you to join us as we focus each week on a prompt to guide our thinking, praying, and listening. Each week, a particular fast, prayer, and action are suggested. We hope that you will take this opportunity to deepen your own spiritual life and the collective spiritual life of our parish.
Week One
How would your Christian identity be different today if you had been taught explicitly that Jesus was not white? How can you move toward that identity of loving and accepting Jesus as a person of color?
Prayer
Pray the Lord’s Prayer
The Collect
Strengthen us, O Lord, by your grace, that in your might we may overcome all spiritual enemies, and with pure hearts serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Study
Mark 1:12-13: And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
What word is speaking to you this day? Why might that be?
Confession
Confess the times you have made Jesus in your own image and ignored the presence of Christ in others.
Fasting
Remove from your home any images or icons that depict Jesus as white.
Action
Use a black icon or image of Jesus to guide you in your prayers and meditations. Use this one, one to be shared on Facebook and Instagram, or one you find for yourself.
This icon was written by Brother Robert Lentz, OFM
Walking the Way of Lent: Week II
Above, you will find the current week's Anti-Racist displines.
