Pastor’s eNote: 4th Week of Lent

Sunday worship was a great blessing this week. Outstanding music, prayer, silence, and holy communion made for a rich experience of lifting up the Name of Jesus. God’s Spirit continues to move in our worship and in prayer. Our once small group that meets just before worship at 9:45 in the prayer room is nearly bursting at the seams. I am so very thankful for all of our prayer ministers and intercessors! All are welcome to join us each Sunday in prayer at 9:45 a.m. in the prayer room just to the left of a sanctuary platform.

We have two new staffing changes to share with you. First, Jayde McCarrell, who has been serving as a volunteer with our youth ministry, will be joining me in leading our youth group as our new part-time Youth Ministry Coordinator. Let’s all continue to pray for Jayde as she completes her final year at SPU and steps into a deeper role in youth ministry. We also welcome Bryan Thorn as our new Ministry Coordinator. Bryan has served countless hours as an “unpaid” staff person in Fostering Hope and in many other settings. Bryan’s new part-time role will engage him in assisting with our worship presentations, Fostering Hope, and better coordinating our church’s growing ministries. For the first time in several years, all of our staffing positions are now filled!

Our Lenten worship series, “Practice Makes Possible,” continues this Sunday with a focus on fasting. Fasting may not sound like an exciting practice, but I hope this Sunday might change your mind and heart about it. Fasting is much more than an abstaining from food. There are many ways to practice fasting as an aid to our spiritual life in Jesus.

Holy Week is just around the corner with our Palm Sunday worship on March 24 at 10:00 a.m., Maundy (Holy) Thursday worship on March 28 at 7:00 p.m., and our Easter Celebration on March 31 at 10:00 a.m. I encourage all of us to center our lives around Jesus during Holy Week as we remember the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Work is already well underway for our annual Eggstravaganza on Saturday, March 23. We need many volunteers to make this event a success. This is an important time for us to host many of the families at the North Queen Anne Childcare. I know this event will open new doors with many families. You can sign up on the Events page on our website or app.

Finally, remember to set those clocks forward this Saturday night. The change in time is never an easy one but awaking to worship the Lord on Sunday can get things moving in the right direction. Coffee and tea will be hot and plentiful!

Grace to You All,

Pastor Craig Brown

(March 5, 2024)