Sunday, February 6th: Wednesday, Feb 9th - Sunday, February 13th: Sunday, February 20th: Sunday, February 27th: |
Stratham Community Church, 6 Emery Lane, PO Box 143, Stratham, NH 03885 |
Time flies when you're having fun, so the story goes. Well, it sure is moving along quickly, but I'm not having any fun. It seemed like just yesterday I was on the high of a Christmas Eve candlelight service, then we get socked with a ton of snow, and then along comes Ash Wednesday. It's doom and gloom amidst the cold, snowy remainder of winter. Yuck! I've got an novel idea. Instead of flailing away at ourselves this Lenten season, repenting for all the New Year's resolutions we didn't keep, let's focus on the positive instead of the negative. So much focus over the past two thousand years has been placed on the death and crucifixion of Christ, and not enough on his life. Christ came so that we might live abundantly. We can spend time on the inner soul, while at the same time, contemplate what it means to live abundant lives. So, my Lenten discipline this year will not be to give up anything and feel bad myself, rather I will follow Christ, as he lived. Writer Christian Larson says it best in what has come to be known as The Optimist's Creed: Promise Yourself To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. |
To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet. To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds. To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.
(...even if it stills snows another two feet!) Think Spring,
Blessings, David
|
Pastoral Letter |
Dear Friends |
Remember! Ash Wednesday Services will be held on Feb. 9th beginning at 7:00 p.m. with Holy Communion and the imposition of Ashes. |
