For many of us, there always seems to be so much to do. Sometimes in the midst of all the busy-ness, we may forget that we are created as “human beings,” not “human doings.” The gospel stories make it clear that Jesus struggled with busyness too. The crowds kept pressing in on him, making demands on his time and energy. Throughout the time of his earthly ministry, Jesus was very intentional in setting time apart for prayer and to have his spirit refreshed and renewed.

I think the early church must have followed his example, because in the earliest centuries of the Christian movement, people looked at them and marveled, “See how they love one another! See the joy in their faces!” Followers of the risen Christ were living as joyful Easter people, and people outside the church could see it.

The season of Lent developed in the church as a time of spiritual refreshment and renewal. The word actually comes from an old English word, “Lenten,” which means “spring.” Lent can be a kind of springtime for our souls when we pay attention to our spiritual hunger and commit ourselves to spiritual disciplines that can feed our spirits.

There are a variety of possible Lenten disciplines from which to choose. Make a renewed commitment to read from the scriptures and pray every day. Make a commitment to come to Sunday Bible study at 9:15 a.m. Sign up for the book discussion group on Tuesday evenings and come early for a simple meal. During this holy season, make it a priority to be in worship on Sunday mornings and for special Lenten and Holy Week services and Taize prayer.

My hope and prayer for us this Lent is that we will make time in our busy lives to nurture our spiritual life, as individuals and as a congregation. May we be refreshed and strengthened in our spiritual life so that our Easter faith will overflow into our mission to carry God’s love and peace and justice out into the world.

My favorite hymn for Lent is a text by Shirley Erena Murray:

INTERFAITH RELATIONS - William G. Gepford, American-Arab Relations
“God Joins Together”

Several years ago I attended an international conference in Jerusalem that dealt with the consequences of the Wall that is still being constructed by Israel. It is being built to separate Palestinians and Israelis. The idea is nothing new. Separate people and peace will follow?

We know the history of walls. The Berlin Wall of recent history is one example. It was intended to separate the East (communism) from the West (democracy), but it was only when it fell that the building blocks of real peace could begin. We learned that life separated by walls is not what God wants. Walls bring brokenness, injustice and sickness. Listen again to Psalm 30, “O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you have brought up my soul from She’ol, and restored me to life.” This could be translated: “you have brought me out of a life of selfishness, and greed, to a life of wholeness and peace that seeks the welfare of my neighbor.”

The examples of separation are manifold. Just look at our denominations and liturgies; look at the way we organize our cities; look at the different secret clubs we have devised, open only to certain people; look at the entrance fees to certain events that discriminate along lines of economies and class; look at our theologies and creeds that tend to separate us in the way we interpret the Bible.

More close to home, one need only to look at Presbyterians or Episcopalians to see the kind of wrenching that can take place regarding who is fit for leadership in a local church.

But scripture tells us that God does not want walls. God wants bridges. God does not want separation. God wants reconciliation. God does not want destruction, but restoration, not conflict, but resolution. Not the fist of hostility and hatred, but hands of compassion open to all.

The ongoing political campaign for the next president of this country is revealing how separated we have become. And much of this focuses on the Middle East, symbolized by the Jerusalem Wall. Yet in the face of this divisiveness in our midst, Christian hope always has its roots beyond political and social realities.

Our hopes are rooted in a conviction of faith that believes in the intentions of God for all people on earth, not just a select few. And we act on the basis of that faith.

This was always the story of the prophets. They saw clearly the political, economic, and social realities that so angered God. They could see through the realities with a hope rooted in God’s power to make all things new, to bring us together as one family of faith.

After the light of God’s spirit came into his soul, on the way to Damascus, the Apostle Paul rightly understood what God was doing in Christ Jesus, when he wrote, “For (Christ) is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one, and has broken down the dividing wall, that is the hostility between us” (Ephesians 2:14).

That is our spiritual legacy. We may complain that there are so many Middle Easterners as our neighbors, but it is God’s will. In past history, some Muslims were leery about Western Christians establishing themselves in Arab and Muslim lands. But God wants to bring us together, even when there are those who might resist it. Resisting the breaking down of dividing walls, be they cement, political, or theological, is to resist God’s will.

Every human being is an image of God, and we need to understand that and learn to live in peace.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

February 5
O.T. Lesson-Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
Epistle Lesson-1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Gospel Lesson-Mark 1:29-39

February 12
O.T. Lesson-2 Kings 5:1-14
Psalm 30
Epistle Lesson-1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Gospel Lesson-Mark 1:40-45

February 19
O.T. Lesson-2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6
Epistle Lesson-2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Gospel Lesson-Mark 9:2-9

February 26
O.T. Lesson-Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-10
Epistle Lesson-1 Peter 3:18-22
Gospel Lesson-Mark 1:9-15

EVANGELISM & MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Save the afternoon of Sunday, March 18 for our annual Feather Bowling and dinner at the Cadieux Café. We’ll begin at 4 p.m. with two hours of feather bowling followed by dinner. No prior experience is required! This would be a great event to invite friends without a church home to come and have fun and get to know us.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to the Littlefielders that have kept the Thanksgiving Dinner of Westminster Church operating. God has blessed us with the giving spirits that these Littlefielders have.

What didn't they do?? They cleaned turkeys, roasted turkeys, helped to sanitize our kitchen work areas, cleaned dishes, pots & pans, assisted and worked with other volunteers, cooked and more each year. Truly I feel we could not continue without them! Please pass on my thanks!

Peace and love to you and your work!

ASH WEDNESDAY POTLUCK & WORSHIP SERVICE - FEBRUARY 22

Our Presbyterian Women will be hosting our annual potluck at 6:00 p.m. with a Worship Service to follow at 7:00 p.m. See Library table for a sign-up sheet a couple of weeks before.

PRAYER MINISTRY

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

In honor of Black History Month, the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Detroit will gather on Wednesday, February 1 at 9:30 a.m. at the Second Baptist Church in downtown Detroit. From 1836 to 1865 this church served as a “station” on the Underground Railroad, receiving some 5,000 slaves before sending them on to Canada. By giving them food, clothing, and shelter, the church was in total defiance of the Fugitive Slave Laws. The program will include a tour of the Underground Railroad Station. The cost of the tour will be $6.00. The church will not be providing lunch so bring a bag lunch or plan to lunch in Greektown. Please call the church office for reservations by Wednesday January 25.

There will not be a Gathering in March. However, there will be a retreat at Orchard Lake Community Church on Saturday, March 10. Reverend Kellie Whitlock of Rosedale Gardens Church has invited us all to be Tenders of the Flame, based on Matthew 5:14-16. “You are the Light of the World ... let your light shine before others.” Details will follow.

As we look forward to the beginning of Lent, the Littlefield Presbyterian Women would like you to join us for a potluck supper which will be held on Wednesday, February 22 at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall just prior to the Ash Wednesday worship service. A sign-up sheet will be on the table in the library so that you can let us know if you’ll be bringing a main dish, salad, or vegetable. We will refrain from eating dessert that evening in the spirit of observing the Lenten season.

TAIZE WORSHIP SERVICE - FEBRUARY 7 at 7:00 p.m.

Light, prayer and music are woven together in a contemplative prayer service. Short, simple songs, repeated again and again, help one enter into a meditative state. Thus, this meditative singing becomes a way of listening to God. All are invited, regardless of faith background and age, to come and renew your spirit. You are invited to dress comfortably and casually. Invite a friend!

A WARM FUZZY THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who donated hats, gloves and scarves to our baskets in December. They were split between Vista Maria, Child Protective Services and Fort Street Open Door Program. The total value came to $426.50. As we experience the cold days of winter, we can know that our gifts are keeping someone else a little bit warmer. Thank you!

PRESBYTERY LEADERSHIP DAY

The Presbytery of Detroit is holding its annual Leadership Day on Saturday, February 18, at First, Dearborn. The day begins with check-in at 8:30 a.m. and worship at 9:00 a.m. featuring guest speaker, The Rev. Dr. Gil Rendle. He serves as Senior Consultant with The Institute for Clergy and Congregational Excellence of The Texas Methodist Foundation and as an independent consultant working with issues of change and leadership in denominations and large churches. A total of 8 workshops are offered in morning and afternoon sessions, followed by a closing session that ends at 3:45 p.m. Cost (including lunch) is $15. Register on-line, by mail or by fax to the Presbytery office at 313-345-7250 before February 9. All are welcome.

WORSHIP & CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE

As the new calendar year begins we are happy to report that our committee is still blessed to be able to serve this congregation in planning worship and study activities.

We welcome back Frederic DeHaven as our Interim Music Ministry Director. Fred is the son of a Presbyterian Minister, Rev. Edward DeHaven, who was a pastor at First Presbyterian, Dearborn until 1969. Fred has been the Organist and Choirmaster at Christ Episcopal Church in Grosse Pointe for 32 years, retiring in 2007. Since then he has been an interim at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church and here. He is also the Conductor and Music Director of the Oakland Choral Society. His entire career has been in directing and playing music for the church, teaching, and performing recitals and concerts throughout the U.S., Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. We are truly blessed to have him with us.

We also will have Carol Park back with us during the weeks that Fred is unavailable in February. It is always a pleasure to have her come back and share her gifts.

LENTEN STUDIES

Lent is a time for spiritual renewal and refreshment. We are in the process of selecting our study book. Stay tuned for details on our Lenten series designed to help us learn and grow together in our faith. On Tuesday evenings, we will enjoy a simple supper, fellowship, and conversation.