“Are we there yet?” I am pretty sure you have heard that question if you have spent any amount of time with a child on a long drive. Who knows? You might even be an adult who has posed that very question. My answer to you this day is “not quite.” In fact, it is more accurate to say that we are about halfway to our destination with that destination being “Holy Week” which will culminate in “Easter Sunday.” Just weeks ago, we received the imposition of ashes upon our foreheads to mark the beginning of the Lenten season as well as to remind each of us of our own mortality, broken condition, and need for a Savior. Since then, we have fasted from certain enjoyments or added spiritual disciplines to recenter our focus, examine personal priorities, and identify with the sacrifice made when the “Word Made Flesh” was nailed to a Roman cross.
In the weeks to come, we will continue our observance of Lent with a variety of community worship experiences including one new (for most) opportunity on Maundy Thursday (April 17). This year, in lieu of the traditional Maundy Thursday service here at Little Rock, we will be joining with Lucama Global Methodist Church and Lamm’s Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church for a Passover celebration. On the night when Jesus was arrested, he celebrated what is considered to be the highest and holiest day within Judaism which commemorates the events found in the book of Exodus. This meal is known within Jewish tradition as a “Seder” which is a term identifying the celebration as one of order and structure. Each participant will be provided with a guide which includes various Old Testament readings and explanations for the symbolic foods which help tell the story of God’s deliverance. The storytelling in conjunction with the meal will take about an hour to complete, but hopefully it will give you a better understanding/appreciation of Jewish history and help you connect with the events leading up to Jesus’ betrayal.
By the time you read this, our Tuesday morning Bible study group will be a couple of weeks into a new series taken from the Gospel of John. I remember being a newly baptized member of my home church and receiving a paperback copy of this beloved text. It was also the book from which I began learning to translate New Testament Greek. Described by some as the “Gospel of Light and Life,” John identifies the purpose of his writing as being “in order that (his audience) might believe” (John 20:31). Unlike the first three Gospel accounts (known as “Synoptic Gospels” due to their similarity), the Gospel of John stands alone in its style, structure, and content. Rather than using the conventional language of “miracles” to identify those special moments of intervention by Jesus, John refers to these as “signs” which point beyond themselves toward something deeper and more significant. We would love to have you join us on Tuesdays at 9:00 in the Christian Education Center/Fellowship Sunday School Classroom for a time of prayer, discussion of God’s Word, and fellowship. It is a fun group in a laidback atmosphere who seeks to grow deeper in faith and closer to one another.
The approach of April means our second spring of UPWARD soccer will be taking place on Saturday mornings throughout the month (with the exception of April 26) and into May. UPWARD sports programs aim not only to teach the fundamentals of various sports, but, more importantly, instill in young people the importance of a growing faith in Jesus Christ. This happens through the Christlike example of parents, coaches, and fans, as well as practice and gameday devotions. The focal point of these games is not keeping score or being concerned over who wins, but rather having fun in a way that brings glory and honor to God through hard work, team effort, and giving one’s best. If you have not had the opportunity to join us for UPWARD football or soccer in the past year and a half, please give it a try. Your presence can supply these young people with encouragement and support which will benefit their lives both on and off of the field. Each game takes about one hour from start until finish. You will find the game times listed on the church calendar which accompanies this newsletter.
The past year has been quite encouraging here at Little Rock. We have seen a number of new faces with us in worship, Sunday school, and other ministries and that is refreshing to your pastor’s heart. As we continue through this new year, I would like to give you three challenges. First, I challenge you to reach out to those who are unchurched. There are many people who have never been a part of a church family and there are some who have had far from favorable experiences with churches. Second, I challenge you to make new and unfamiliar faces feel welcome on Sunday mornings and other occasions. As I shared in my recent series of sermons concerning our mission statement, we have a single opportunity to make a positive impression or else those individuals may not come back. Third, I challenge you to pray for our community and our witness as we look toward the future. There is much discussion taking place about development, construction, and the potential for new families to come to our small town. If those who will occupy these homes do not currently have a church home, we need to make intentional effort to supply them with one. Even though not one foundation has been poured or nail driven, we must make preparations now for what the future may have in store.
Together in Christ,
The Reverend Kelley Smart