HAPPY EASTER!
Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:10 New International Version)
Dear Friends in Christ,
I greet you in the glorious name of Jesus Christ who has opened the doorway to the life eternal for us as he conquered sin on the cross and death through his glorious resurrection!
I think of bamboo as a quick growing plant that can overrun areas where it is planted as it spreads. This may be true for the bamboo that grows around here, but there is a type of Chinese bamboo that takes a long time and a lot of patience to grow. In fact, this type of bamboo must be planted carefully and watered/tended daily for five years with no sign of growth, at all! Five years of waiting with no results, but then, in the fifth year, the plant sends up a shoot that will grow ninety feet tall in just five weeks! WOW!
I think of this as I reflect on the Easter story. Yesterday was the joyful celebration of Easter and Christ’s triumph over suffering and death and now, we begin the fifty days of the Easter Season, which concludes with Pentecost. During these days we remember the first disciples who experienced the resurrection, but who didn’t really understand what had happened and who, like the Chinese bamboo, were in a time of waiting for their own blossoming and the fulfillment of God’s plan in their lives at Pentecost. That “awakening” is like the shoot of the bamboo which, after all the watering and tending, shoots and grows tall with astounding speed! As you know, God repeats this same cycle in our lives again and again! We, too, are in that time between Easter and Pentecost, a time of waiting and nurturing ourselves in preparation for the new growth that is in God’s plan for our lives.
In fact, there are a lot of new things coming to the United Ministry and this time gives us an opportunity to do many “new” things (and to return to some things that we once did in new ways). I anticipate opening our church for worship services in the next few weeks (pray for warm weather!). We will resume in person meetings, gatherings and small groups very soon. AND we are preparing to receive a new pastor, effective July 1, 2021! So, during these coming days, I invite you to join with the Church Council in setting aside time each day for prayer and devotions. The Council is taking this journey to “water” their spirits and to get ready for the burst of new growth that is coming! Won’t you join in this prayer journey with us as we strengthen ourselves, our relationship with God, and our connections with one another – so that when the big growth “push” arrives – we are strong, able and spiritually ready? Feel free to pray at any time during the day that fits your schedule – or at 8 am and/or 8 pm. Remember to pray for the church, for new beginnings in ministry, for your new pastor and the churches she is leaving – and for your interim as I prepare to re-retire!
Behold! God has done wonderful things for us – and new things are on the way! Let’s be ready to grow!
May your Happy Easter blessings continue – each and every day!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Betsy Ott
