Pastor Mike’s Meditations

February 2021

One of our Growth Groups at the church has been reading Eugene Peterson’s book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. I greatly enjoyed the book when I read it and have always been drawn in, simply by the title. I have thought about this even more over this past year because that seems more and more to be what God is asking of us spiritually during this season.
This past year has taught us several lessons. One is that we can take nothing for granted. Many of the basic routines of life have been upended this past year. Being able to gather for worship, meeting with our growth groups, serving in specific ways, or reaching out to others, have all been impacted. As one of my pastor friends notes in their monthly newsletter, much has changed, and few us like change, especially the kind that we have experienced this past year- the kind that is drastic, disruptive, and relentless. Change can leave us feeling vulnerable, confused, and frustrated to the point that we just want to return to the way things were before. But as the impact of Covid stretches on, many of recognize that some things may not return to the way they were before. Some changes we will have to adapt to and can actually bring resilience, growth, and deeper faith.
The impact of changes we have experienced in our cultural and sociological shifts in the way we live, work, and experience community is still in process. As we experience these changes it causes us as a church to think about how we can adapt and still experience meaningful opportunities for worship, in our devotional life, and community and outreach. Lent will be a time that we set aside to prayerfully process these things personally and as a church, to strengthen our relationship with God and one another.
The season of Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, February 17th. In light of our present inability to gather for worship in doors, we are inviting people to drive through the church parking lot from 4:30-5:30pm, where you will have the opportunity to receive the imposition of ashes. There will then be a video based Ash Wednesday Service that will be made available on our Sierra Pres YouTube Page that will premiere at 5:30 pm that evening.
Our sermon series during the season of Lent will be entitled This is the Way…and will follow the path Jesus took during the last week of his life leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection. For now, services will remain live-streamed, but we anticipate being able to gather outside for the 10:30am service as the weather improves and look forward to in person worship returning as soon as we are out of the purple tier of Covid protocols.
We will also be providing a Lenten Devotional resource inspired by the writings of Henri Nouwen entitled, “Saving Passion.” These daily readings can root you more deeply in the sacrificial love of Christ. As we experience a life of sacrifice during this Covid-impacted season, it is helpful to be reminded of all that Christ lost or let go of as a result of his love for us, including his very life.
Finally, we will continue to have a zoom-based Adult Spiritual Development Class on Sunday mornings from 11am-12 pm hosted by Charles Erion. This class serves as a great point of connection for those who don’t otherwise have a point of community or connection beyond the Sunday morning live-stream worship service. If anything, we have learned the value of personal connection during this season and have grieved the loss of that gift during this time. While zoom gatherings are not the same, it is a way that we can continue to encourage one another in study and fellowship. Many of our Growth Groups also either continue to gather in person or through zoom. If you have yet to connect with such a group, I encourage you to click here to fill out a form so that we can help you find the right group for you.

With You on the Journey,
Pastor Mike