Word from Wiese

Possibilities

Possibilities

22 February 2023

Today, on Ash Wednesday, we mark ashes on each other’s foreheads.

  • Ashes are full of possibilities.
  • Ashes imply possibilities that old growth, for which we might be thankful, is making way for new experiences.
  • Ashes accompanied by the declaration, “Remember, you are dust, and to dust you will return” make it possible to be freed from the shackles of daily worries as we’re re-centered into the Alpha & Omega who breathed life into us at our beginnings and can resuscitate us at our ends.
  • Ashes symbolize the possibility that God can renew your life. You’re not stuck.  You can experience change and new life.

In the next 40 days of Lent, COS prayerfully seeks that out of the ashes the Holy Spirit a reformational zest in us for five of God’s life-changing POSSIBILITIES.

Possibilities

Multiple Possibilities exist each week:

  1. Introduction of a new Possibility theme in weekly worship. (See themes above). I’m grateful that Mark & Juliet Cutler, Bill Grabill, and Robbi Martin will help the pastors enliven these Possibilities with their testimonies.
  2. Email devotions on Mondays and Fridays written by COS disciples.
  3. Weekly Possibility Posses, Parties, Partners, Packs, Panels or Platoons. What will you call yourselves?  Whatever you decide, join with a discussion group to explore what the various possibilities specifically mean for your lives.  Each Wednesday morning via my Word From Wiese, I’ll share a group discussion guide you can use to dig into the weekly possibility launched the Sunday before.   Join one of the following Possibility Packs or start your own:
    1. Pastor Fritz.Wednesdays at 7 PM via Zoom.
    2. Nancy Shepack.Wednesdays at 7 PM in Conference Room.
    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.“Possibilities on the Pathway.”
    6. Andrea Fisher.  “LOFTy Possibilities” in the LOFT.
    7. Wednesday Evening Ministry. Beginning March 1, join us for a congregational meal at 5.30.  Holden Evening Sung Devotional is in sanctuary at 6.30 followed by the possibility of a Possibility Panel.

There’s too much “death ash” in the world.   Ashes of bombed buildings in Ukraine.  Ashes of collapsed homes in Turkey.  Ashes of burned chemical tankers in East Palestine, Ohio.   Ashes of discharged bullets on the campus of Michigan State and beyond.

But there is “life ash” too.   Ash, dust, and dirt that God combines with his Word, breath, and Holy Spirit to bring new life . . .  and new possibilities.  Would you prioritize your involvement in what could be a transformational possibility for the health and gladness of our congregation, your family and you?

Exploring God’s Possibilities  . . . even out of the ashes . . . with you,

Pastor Fritz