Recent Sermons
Beginning the Journey
Today on Ash Wednesday we begin a Journey to Hope. I know when I am going to
go on a journey I like to plan ahead. Where am I going? What am I going to bring ?
What am I going to leave home? Ash Wednesday begins a Journey to Hope. That
journey takes us to the cross and resurrection. We know there are difficult parts of this
journey. On the path to the cross we see reflections on issues that still affect us today.
Whether you need a pilot or a train conductor or a driver depends on how you make the
journey. What if Jesus was truly in the driver’s seat? What if you were led by our
Shepherd Jesus in the next 6 weeks ? How might our life’s journey be different if we
truly let Jesus be ―in the driver’s seat ?
What would we have to adjust in our carefully laid plans? As we rediscover Jesus
along the way, perhaps we also will uncover our ―real selves. A Journey to Hope will
lead us to the other side of suffering – to find we can stand again in this life and the next.
On this night, I extend to all of you an invitation to be intentional on this journey.
We are going to take along a backpack of items to use or not use. I invite all of you
to buy a backpack during Lent to bring it up to the Altar as a sign that we travel this
journey together. We will use the backpacks this summer to give to children at DTS
who need school supplies.
It is strenuous and messy journey to the cross. Tonight we receive ashes you
can receive them on your forehead or on your hand. As you get the ashes you are
marked to begin this journey towards Easter.
Ashes are one of the things that is in my backpack tonight. I also have
emergency shoes, a calendar, water and money. money. Oh- what’s this ? I don’t
think I need that for this journey. That is a burden I don’t need to bear. Right now I
will take out the container of ashes and put them in a bowl to use later. Uh Oh, I am
getting my hands dirty with that container. We are supposed to get out hands dirty on
this journey to the cross. We pour the ashes into the bowl which in this case is a shell
symbolizing the pouring out of our lives. Ashes are also good for fertilizer in planting
beds. How does the pouring out of ourselves ―fertilize God’s beloved creation?
When I am going on a trip I am excited. What emotions do you experience when
you go on a trip? Excitement? Anticipation? Anxiety about the things you will leave
behind? As Christians, we know the journey of Lent is a time which takes us to the
cross and takes us to Easter. There is a lot of sadness and sorrow and pain along the way.
It’s important that we don’t forget the pain pain of the journey, nor do we lose sight of
the hope that comes in the morning. Can we take this trip with Jesus in the driver’s seat?
What is one thing you won’t leave home without? (no not american express)
That’s the question I am posting on my Facebook page. A few of you may choose
to answer that online or in an email. We are uses sources from the RETHINK Church
compaign which tries to help us think out of the box.
For our journey together I am asking you to give up alcohol as many of you did
last year for Lent. Also I am asking that you bring in a backpack to decorate the altar as
a symbol of your commitment to taking this journey together. Also you should read the
book of Mark and the book of Acts this Lent. Pay attention to the behavior of the early
disciples.
One more thing I ask that you bring in a new blanket for the Blankets for Love
drive. We will consider how our community will see Easter’s hope through us? How
can we see Easter’s hope through one another?
With the possible exception of the equator, everything begins
somewhere. C. S. Lewis . I will be posting the sermons on the web-site if you miss one
you can catch up there. I hope you will visit our church Web site to check it out if you
haven’t yet.
We are on a journey to Easter. It’s a journey we may take each year -a yearly
journey but its also a journey of a lifetime. Maybe even a once in a lifetime. I hope you
will join us. Pastor Lin Smallwood Feb. 22, 2012
