Beloved of God,

The Scripture Lessons for the Third Sunday in Lent are:
 
Mark 6:32-44 Feeding the 5,000
Ephesians 3:20-21 “By the power at work within us [God] is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine”
 
As Jesus and his disciples head to a deserted place, perhaps seeking peace and quiet, many from the surrounding towns follow them. Instead of turning away, Jesus expresses compassion and begins an impromptu teaching session. As the day goes on, the disciples have logistics in mind and urge Jesus to send the people back into the villages so they can feed themselves. Instead, Jesus presents them with an impossible task: “You give them something to eat.” Dumbfounded, the disciples can only fathom the limitations and financial constraints of Jesus’ suggestion. Yet when they “go and see,” their meager provisions multiply so that thousands are fed. This week, we focus on building networks of collective care in order to meet people’s needs. Jesus models a way to be in community by coming together and sharing what we have, dispelling perceived impossibilities. The Good News empowers us to believe in miracles that can become possible through the power of community.
 
This is the season of Lent. The liturgical color, for the pastor's stole and paraments (cloth hanging from the pulpit and lectern) is purple, symbolizing the divinity and royalty of Christ.

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In God’s Love, Rev. Amie