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“And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” ~Revelation 21:5

Spring has returned to this corner of our world, and she has spilt all of her paints upon the land. Winter has its own beauty, and I am so looking forward to warmer weather. Our Safety in Worship Team has allowed our four Teams to set the tone concerning their stance on masking and social distancing. Concerning worship in the sanctuary, it was agreed that masking and singing may be optional so long as the windows and doors remain open during worship. This will promote better air circulation in our enclosed space.

The Daffodil Festival is this Saturday. Apostles has a booth! I have never experienced a Daffodil Festival in full bloom, and I will be working between Apostles, the Humane Society, and the Visitor’s Center. After this week and Holy Week, I plan on taking Fridays and Saturdays off for my Sabbath Day. I will answer a text message if there is a Pastoral Emergency, e.g. someone has died. Otherwise, I will answer phone calls and emails on Sunday afternoon. I typically avoid reading/answering emails on Sunday mornings as to prepare for worship.

Easter is upon us, and first, we journey through Holy Week. Palm/passion Sunday will take place on April 10th at 9:30 AM. The Triduum begins with Maundy Thursday, which will take place on April 14th at 7:00 PM. The Worship Team has agreed to participate in a hand washing ritual. Good Friday will take place on April 15th at 7:00 PM. The Lutherans and the Episcopalians will celebrate the Easter Vigil together at the Waterman’s Museum on April 17th, at 7:00 PM. Every congregation involved is encouraged to pitch for our ice cream fellowship afterwards. We can contribute both financially and by making cookies. Ben and Jerry’s in Yorktown has graciously agreed to sponsor the Vigil After Party. More information concerning this will follow depending upon the weather. Apostles Lutheran Church will participate in recreating The Flood Story. Stay tuned.

Finally, we will arrive at Easter Sunday, which falls on April 17th at 9:30 AM. I’ve been told that the men will be cooking breakfast while the Easter Bunny may leave some eggs in the yard to be hunted. April will also kick off our final Season for Seasons of Stewardship this year. The Worship Team will be blooming with Spring Awakening. April marks the month of Presentation. Perhaps you’ve always wondered why we have specific Servant Leaders preforming certain roles during worship… perhaps not. The Worship Team will guide our Community of Faith though answering those parts of worship that feel meaningful to those of us who have always done it a certain way. Through trial and error, we may articulate to those new to our Lutheran Faith these two questions: 1) What are we doing, and 2) Why are we doing it?

My prayer is for our community to become curious about our faith as a Lutheran congregation. These last three years have felt to me like they’ve ebbed more than flowed. There is a Sufi proverb that states “In the desert there is no sign that says, 'thou shalt not eat stones.” We have survived the most abnormal part of a once in a century Pandemic, which has disrupted everyone’s plans. I for one was warned not to change anything for the first five years… did someone hear God laughing? We’ve had a long distance relationship for almost three years since I was installed back in 2020. Life online, on the phone, and on paper can be awkward yet manageable once you’ve done it for more that 28 days. Right now, we are learning how to live together under the same roof. Those of you who have ever been married or moved in with a roommate know how rough and rocky those new relationship dynamics can be. Let’s all take just take a breath and learn how to dance with each other. I ask the question, “Why?” because I wasn’t here when it happened and would like to hear from your perspective what makes it important. On the same token, if you are curious about something that I’m doing which invokes the question “Why?”, then ask me. It would be nice if we could all be satisfied with the answer, but we can work on it if we’re willing to do the work together. I promise that I am not here to hurt any of you, and I am not here to be hurt by any of you. God is always making things new, including us, so let’s see where the Holy Spirit is leading us. If you have gotten this far in my article, then bring a sunflower to Sunday morning worship this April 3rd. I have observed that this congregation prefers fresh cut flowers, but a fake one will do. I will explain the “Why” behind my request during the Announcements. I hope to see you during worship at 9:30 AM this Sunday from beyond the page. 

‘I could tell you my adventures – beginning from this morning,’ said Alice a little timidly: ‘but ‘it’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.’ ~Lewis Carroll

Pastor Jeniffer,
M. Div, Miss. Dev.