The Nugget, March 2007

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and put a new and right spirit within me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and sustain in me a willing spirit.

(Psalm 51.10,12)

We need this season of Lent in which we find ourselves. The spirit of Lent is something like the person who smacks himself on the forehead and says, “What was I thinking?” When awareness of our imperfections dawns on us, we want to do better, and need to find the strength to choose a better way. During Lent we are offered the opportunity to consider the better way, the path that leads to wholeness and peace rather than estrangement from God and one another.

Only by taking the time to understand our brokenness and seek the better way, will we be ready to celebrate Easter. Jesus’ resurrection was such a seminal event for Disciples of Christ that it cannot be remembered and observed without a time of preparation.

On the Wednesday evenings in March everyone is invited to join us in our Soup Supper and Video Vespers. You will find the soups delicious and the Vesper services inspirational. Different committees and boards of the church are taking turns bringing the light meal which will begin at 6 pm. Special thanks to the various groups within the church who are working hard to prepare the soups.

After we eat, we will gather for a time of reflection and prayer, singing and meditating, viewing a video clip as part of the basis for our reflections. The films from which the clips will taken will be as diverse as “Little Miss Sunshine”, “Amistad” and the newly released “Amazing Grace.” Our Vesper services will conclude each Wednesday evening by 7:30 p.m.

“Give Me a Clean Heart, O God,” is the overall theme of the Video Vespers. Each Wednesday will carry a particular theme, such as “Give Me a Clean Heart, O God, That Works for Peace” (March 4) or “Give Me a Clean Heart, O God, That Seeks Justice.” (March 11). Invite your neighbors and friends and join us for this special series that will bring us to that wonderful time of celebrating Jesus resurrection.

The front of this edition of the Nugget has information on the events of Holy Week, which this year is the first week of April. I invite you to participate in as many of these special services as you can. Our Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunrise services are joint worship times with other churches in town, which give them added meaning.

Working with Rev Russ Ogren of Sierra Bible Church, and Rev Doug Merritt of Faith Lutheran Church has been an exceptional experience for me. And not just during this season, but for the entire time that I have been your pastor. I invite your to join me in celebrating the ecumenical relationship we share with these other pastors and their congregations. We sometimes forget that despite the fact we each have our own particular church life, we share a risen Savior whose love extends far beyond each congregation. Thanks be to God for the common life we all share in Jesus Christ!

Steve Shepard
Interim Pastor