As most of you know, my 35-year-old father died of a heart attack in 1963 when I was four years old. One of the natural tendencies for a child who loses a parent at an early age is to think frequently about his or her own mortality. This was very true for me. I figured I would be fortunate if I lived to 35 - every year after that would be icing on the cake. To my surprise I'm just 6 years short of living twice as long as my father did. No wonder I can stand to lose some weight. I've been eating a lot of icing! 

Frequently thinking about one's mortality is both a blessing and a curse. One of the curses is that there is a tendency to worry about an accident happening that could take one's life or the lives of others. One of the blessings is that any other kind of problem in life isn't such a big deal.

I consider another blessing is that I tend not to take life for granted. It encourages me to think about priorities...asking myself what's really important in life. 

The season of Lent is a time in the year when Christians are invited to think about their mortality and to ask themselves big questions: What is the purpose of life? What does it mean to follow Christ? What is most important in life? 

I'll be sharing my thoughts about this on Sunday — the 3rd Sunday in Lent. The waterfall is growing. It looked beautiful last Sunday and at our Taizé Service on Wednesday. It looks even more beautiful now - thanks to all of you who have written down your prayers and petitions on the strips of cloths that make up the flowing stream. 

We will be celebrating Holy Communion on Sunday. If you will be worshipping Online, I encourage you to participate with us. All you will need is bread or a cracker and some juice or water. Don't forget to print up the bulletin so you can join us with the liturgy. 

We'll also be having our BIG Coffee Hour on Sunday. If you are able, bring food items to share with others. You can put your items in the church's kitchen when you arrive.

If you are not a member of Asbury, but worship with us Online because you live far away or because you are homebound, we want you to know that you can still be a member of Asbury. Candace Jenkins and I would love to put together a Zoom New Member Class for our Online participants. So, if you are part of our Online Community and are interested in participating, please contact either Candace or me. Hope to hear from you! 

Our local director of JUST, Allie Matthys, has had to resign due to health issues. We appreciate all that Allie has done for JUST, and we will be lifting her up in prayer.

Fortunately, our own Rev. Claire Marich, will be taking the position until a permanent director is hired. Claire is a founding member of JUST and has the perfect skills and passion for the position. 

"Thank you, Claire, for serving in this important position for this important organization and ministry." 

Join us this Wednesday at 5:30 for fellowship and food as we break bread together as a church family in Holliday Hall. Please make a reservation by Monday by registering online or by calling the church office. 

During the season of Lent, we offer a Taizé Service every Wednesday at 6:30 pm. These short, meditative services have become one of our favorite annual offerings for our church family. Come and experience God working within you through hearing scripture, through chanting Taizé songs, and through silent listening. The services start at 6:30 pm and end about 6:55 pm. 

Before Wednesday, however, join us for the Third Sunday in Lent...for Holy Communion...for BIG Coffee Hour...and for asking the BIG questions in life!

Love,
Billy