Grace Abounds!
Sermon writing and worship preparations are a holy art. I prayerfully engage the living word with imagination, curiosity, and an openness for the Spirit to dance!
My hope as your pastor through “Neeley’s Notions” is to offer stories and perspectives to ignite your own imagination, curiosity, and openness to the Spirit. - this will be a periodical email offering as the Spirit leads!
I didn't know her name but I could hear her heart.
I didn't know her name but I could hear her heart. It was the last night of providing a warm safe space to sleep and a homecooked meal at the Covington Warming Center. The Warming Center had evolved into a family over the long winter months. I was there serving the meal. A volunteer came into the kitchen, her eyes swelling up with tears.
"Are you okay, can we help?" we ask.
"No, It's just hard. This is their last night here. It's just hard."
We held space for her to feel all the emotions of the holy and hard months of being a part of the Warming Center Family. I watched her and realized through this simple and vital ministry she had participated in what was indeed modern day foot washing. 
Remove your shoes.
I didn't know her name but I could hear her heart. I recognized her tears. The first time I ever participated in a foot washing I was awestruck. I was hesitant and nervous to remove my shoes. There is something so vulnerable about taking off your socks and shoes to let someone else wash your feet. I felt silly and exposed. Then I thought about all the places my feet had been: the hard and rocky road, the sand between my toes, the wood floors of home.
Take a moment to think of where your feet have been.
Having someone wash your feet is a unique, uncomfortable, and yet comforting experience. And then to turn and wash their feet. It is a holy and humble encounter.
This Thursday we get to share in the gospel story of a divine foot washing on Jesus's last night with his disciples. I invite you to consider all the places your feet have walked then reply to this email to join the conversation. I encourage you to arrive to worship on Maundy Thursday with the expectation to allow yourself to remove your shoes both literally and figuratively and in doing so become vulnerable before the Lord. 
I didn't know her name but I could hear her heart. She had washed the feet and souls of all who passed through the Warming Center doors. It was not until they broke bread together for the last night that she realized they had washed her feet as well.
Thanks be to God for water, a basin, food to eat, and a cot to sleep on. 
John 13 and "Modern Last Supper"
"Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end... then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet... I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:1b, 5, 34-35 NRSV
"Eat Every Supper As If It Were The Last" also known as "Modern Last Supper"
2018 Mural displayed in Fort Myers, FL
Raw Spoon | rawspoon.com
I am looking forward to gathering with you on Maundy Thursday at 7:00pm around the Lord's Table and a basin of water. As we prepare to break bread and drink of cup, I invite you to consider this artistic interpretation titled, "Modern Last Supper" by Rawspoon.com 
Who do you need to invite to come and take bread and cup with our church family this Holy week? See you soon!
"Modern Last Supper" by Raw Spoon
explanation video
Faithfully,
Neeley Rentz Lane