New Chapters in Vocation, Life, Location, Agenda, and God's Plan Word from Wiese

New Chapters

New Chapters

Word From Wiese

14 February 2024

Welcome to a New Chapter.

Having completed the church season of Epiphany, Christians turn the page to Lent.   White and green vestments yield to purple.   Biblical tales of Jesus’ ministry beginnings give way to talk of deeper purpose and sacrifice.  Same incredible story, but a new chapter is ready to unfold.

Culturally, we just wrapped up the Superbowl.  So, football season is officially over.  What will  sports enthusiasts turn to next?  A new chapter.

New ChaptersAt COS, we’re facing significant new chapters.  Pastor Miriam’s retirement April 15 signifies the close of one amazing chapter of pastoral faithfulness and our prayer for God’s provision for the next.  The Sanctuary Renewal Project marks the close of a 30+ year chapter for our sanctuary as we ready to embrace fresh possibilities.   Likewise, as we journey with Jesus this Lent, our Lord challenges the world to adopt the revelation of his New Commandment and New Covenant.

Systems health experts contend organizations are wise to lean into the mixture of emotion, anxiety, and hope involved in new chapters.   Logistics of transition are hard enough. (Where will the pews go?  Who will cover Pastor Miriam’s duties?  How specifically do I love my neighbor?) However, the psychology of new chapters might be the greater challenge.   (I’m struggling to trust Jesus’ promise that a good day is defined more about my love sharing than resume building.   I feel like I’m on a roller coaster—at one moment scared about the upcoming change, the next moment I’m excited).

Yes, at first commencing new chapters might sound easy.  Just turn the page and start.  But each one of the new chapters is deeply packed with meaning and nuance, especially recognized within their larger wonderful stories.   So, we’re thankful this Lent we can walk with our faithful Co-Author, as the Lord leads through these days and ways of new chapters.

That’s why our Lenten journey for 2024 is entitled, “New Chapters:  Hope in Co-Authoring Life Stories with God.”   Each week, we’ll dive into one of the new chapters we face. In doing so, God will help us better see how we fit into God’s amazing story and the pages of our purpose. Here’s the plan:

Embrace the rich weekly opportunities:

  1. Introduction of a different New Chapter theme in weekly worship and sermons. (See themes above).
  2. Email devotions on Mondays and Fridays written by COS disciples.
  3. Weekly Discussion Groups. Dig deeper into how you and friends connect with the various New Chapters.  Each Wednesday morning via my Word from Wiese, I’ll share a group discussion guide you can use to explore deeper insights with a small group of new or long-term friends.  Here are some of the group options:
    1. Pastor Fritz.Wednesdays at 7 PM via Zoom.
    2. Nancy Shepack.Wednesday evenings in Conference Room.  Time TBD
    3. Pastor Miriam.Wednesdays at 3 PM in Conference Room.
    4. Dean Hudson with Men.Fridays at 6 AM via Zoom.
    5. Ingrid Hudson with Moms.“Story Chapters While Strolling.”
    6. Pastor Miriam.Wednesday nights.
  4. Wednesday Evening Meal. With the exception of Feb 21 which is in the midst of Winter Break, folks can sign up for the congregational Lenten Dinner in the Fellowship Hall, from 5.30-6.30 PM.
  5. Wednesday Evening Worship. For all five Wednesdays of Lent, from Feb 21 through March 20, experience the beauty of Holden Evening Prayer at 6.30 PM in the sanctuary. Each week is centered with scripture and a testimony from one of our COS disciples on the weekly topic.

Today is Ash Wednesday.   (Drive by Ash Imposition 11AM -1 PM. Family Service at 5 PM, Soup Supper at 5.30 and Traditional Service at 6.30 PM).  Ashes are amazing symbols of God’s desire to always start something new.   Ashes mark us for a new day.  Out of ashes new seeds grow.   Ashes themselves are pieces of the past and parts of our important story.

Theologically, ashes remind us that our stories are nothing but dust and to dust they shall return.  Our stories—and we ourselves—don’t hold together on our own.  Unless.  Unless God.  Unless we and our stories are in-spired.   God-breathed.  As we repent, turning from puffing up ourselves, to accepting afresh the God’s breath of life, we take shape.  New chapters unfold.  Our marvelous stories flow with purpose and meaning.

I pray you will show extra effort this Lenten journey, with gratitude for everything that has already been, to now pause, prepare, pray, and discuss the next New Chapters God is making available to us in our story . . .  Jesus’ story of joy and life.

Finding “Hope in Co-authoring New Chapters of Amazing Stories with God” with you,

Pastor Fritz