March? Really? Didn’t we just celebrate Christmas? The turn of the calendar reminds us “the hands of time stand still for no one.” In just a few weeks, spring will arrive and with that we will see things all around us come to life. This brings to my attention the words of Revelation 21:5 where “the one seated upon the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.'” Chances are pretty good that you may have need of something new in your life right now. The excitement of Christmas has passed, New Year’s resolutions have been broken, and so much within our world is creating anxiety. Perhaps that is why I love the words found in Revelation. It is a book shrouded in much mystery with its unusual language, but, at the same time, it is a document of hope. The God we serve longs to make everything new just as it was in the beginning. God does not paint over the rust or fill in the gaps with putty; he actually recreates. Unlike spring, in which that which is dormant comes back to life only to die back again, God wants to fill us with life and not just any life, but life that is more abundant as well as continuous. Wherever you are and however you are feeling, lean into the one who was, is, and will continue to be “making all things new.”
Hopefully, by now, you have taken notice of the additional daylight at the end of the day and soon we will “spring forward” one hour. No doubt, this is welcomed by many as the days get longer bringing additional time to enjoy the outdoors as well as a brightening of the spirit after the dark of winter. This time of the year also brings the season of Lent which begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5. The word “Lent” is related to an Old English term referring to “spring” or “length” as during the spring the days visibly lengthen. It is during this forty-day period (not including Sundays) that we will make preparations for Easter. Mardi Gras (French) or “Fat Tuesday” (the day before Ash Wednesday) serves as one last opportunity to splurge upon certain enticements prior to the fasting associated with Lent.
During this Lenten season, we will be spending time in worship with the Gospel of John looking at the “I AM” sayings of Jesus. There are seven in all and each points to that which is uniquely available through Jesus. My usage of capital letters is not insignificant as it is aimed at emphasis. Greek is a very precise language and verbs can stand on their own without the aid of a separate subject. Although English translations state, “I am…”, the original language reads “I I am…” It includes the personal pronoun plus a verb that already includes its subject. One of my college professors used to say when you see this construction in the Greek text, “Lean into the microphone and pound the pulpit a little.” Jesus’ usage of “I AM” is also reminiscent to the words uttered to Moses from the burning bush when God identified Godself as “I am that I am.” The God of the past was still very much present through the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus’ arrival brought with it much for the benefit of humanity: bread, water, care, and life to name a few.
Continuing the theme of that which is new, I am so excited about the beginning of our Hispanic mission in partnership with Original Free Will Baptist Church Planting and Renewal. “Case de Restauracion de Lucama” (House of Restoration of Lucama) will be sown March 2 and initially meet in Heritage Hall according to our current Sunday morning schedule. I say “initially meet” because, as we all know, this will be a ministry in progress. We are pleased to have Pastor Marvin Escobedo supplying leadership to this new ministry endeavor under the supervision of Pastor Nelson Ramos who is the coordinator for the Hispanic work within our denomination. Their statement of faith will be the same as that used by our mission field in Mexico (translated from our articles into Spanish). If you are curious about the name, it is currently in usage by the initial congregation in Macclesfield and will serve for unity’s sake as the identifier for each Hispanic mission (differentiated by the location). As we go through the coming weeks, please hold this work in your prayers. Pray for the Holy Spirit to supply guidance to Pastor Marvin as he makes contacts within the community and as he leads worshipers during the weekly gatherings. Pray for hearts to be open to the Gospel message especially those who may be unchurched within Lucama and the surrounding area. Pray for ways in which we might work and serve together in order to add solidarity to the Kingdom of God.
Coming up on Saturday, March 8 at 8:00, we are looking to begin anew with our men’s prayer breakfast/fellowship from years gone by. Each month, our women gather for circle meetings and quarterly for Woman’s Auxiliary, but our ministry opportunity to the men of our church family and community has been overlooked. This is unfortunate because some congregations report a minimal desire from their men to grow deeper and closer to God through Christian nurture. Not only does our church’s mission statement indicate we wish to supply a place of Christian nurture and instruction, we also long to create a space for fellowship. When we look at the ministries of our congregation, we can see ample times and places where our women, children, and youth come together, but not our men. It is my hope and prayer that this might be the start of something new/renewed from our past. It will be an opportunity not only to eat and “talk shop” as it will also invite men to pray with and for the sake of one another. I say “men,” but I wish to include children and youth as well. Bring a son or a grandson. Bring a nephew or a neighbor. Bring someone churched, but think of someone who is unchurched. I envision this ministry resuming on a quarterly basis so as to ease back into it and not overload our cooks. If you would be willing to help cook, provide a devotion, or lead a prayer, please let me know. I would love for this to be as laity driven as possible.
Together in Christ, The Reverend Kelley Smart