Remembrance vs. Participation
There was a time in my Christian journey when I found little necessity in following the church calendar. After all, I had “my” bible and I felt that me and the Lord were doing just fine. On holidays such as Christmas and Easter, I would read the gospels out of religious duty because it was the “season.” Although I considered them authoritative, my privatized view of Scripture made them seem a little more than historical documents that led me to remember parts of the story of Jesus. Yet, a dramatic shift occurred when I began to serve local churches and followed the lectionary readings throughout Advent and Holy Week. As we entered the story of Jesus together, this taught me that the Bible is the “Church’s Book” before it is mine. It also taught me that the story of Jesus is just not to be remembered but participated in through the Spirit. We can travel with the Magi as they follow a star and bow before King Jesus. We can almost feel the water as Jesus comes up after being baptized by John in the Jordan River. We can experience raw human cruelty as people taunt Jesus as he hangs seemingly helpless on his cross.
Friends, Pastor Dave, and I invite you to journey with us as we head towards the cross of Christ. In this Holy season (and every season), we are not leaders of the journey but pilgrims with you. The Spirit, connecting us to the story of Jesus, is our leader. Please see the Holy Week calendar that describes all that Anne Ashley Community Church and Homestead United Presbyterian Church will be doing to participate in Holy Week. Get ready—our journey awaits!
In love,
Pasto Keith