March 2024

Dear Friends of First,

During the season of Lent, we traditionally gather for a mid-week soup supper and worship. We’ll continue with that tradition in Friendship Hall, as we reflect on the sometimes-mercurial discipleship of Peter and the words of a favorite

hymn, “Come, thou Fount of Every Blessing.”

Jesus’ first disciples were everyday people: minding their own business, mending their nets, supporting their families, worrying about expenses, paying their taxes, fretting about the future. First and foremost, among them was Peter. He’s a compelling guy, often impulsive, leaping before he looks, getting it wrong at least as much as he gets it right, making promises he can’t keep. Much like you, me and lots of people we know.

And Jesus loved him. And despite, or perhaps because of Peter’s “perfect imperfections,” Jesus trusted him. He called Peter “the rock” on which he would build his church, the early Jesus’ movement.

This Lent, we are inviting Peter to journey with us, as we notice the similarities of his life and impulses as they match our own. We’ll notice where our story meets his. And through it all, we’ll interweave the old hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” as we consider our own wandering hearts and what it means to bring them more in tune with God this season.

I encourage you to attend our mid-week service and to stoke your imagination as to how Jesus is seeking you out of everyday life to be disciples in this day and age, much like how Jesus first called Peter and his brother Andrew to follow him and to begin fishing for people rather than fish.

In peace,
Pastor Jim