Lent – A Time To Reach Out!

In my Feb. 24 blog “A Time For Reflection and Preparation”, I mentioned members of “Outside Church Walls” who were REACHING OUT into their communities from their congregations to prepare for where the Lord may lead us in Lent and the Easter season.

Pope Francis’ message to all Christians is to REACH OUT to the poor, homeless and down trodden – walk the walk with Jesus. Terry Kyllo and his reaching out is through his Catacomb Church ministry. Closer to home you can REACH OUT to R.C. and have lunch at noon at St. Luke’s in Ballard (we did) and become acquainted with Rev. Nyer Urness and the Compass Housing Alliance in Ballard. Contact Jim Caldwell at this Church in Montesano and he can give you a blueprint for a Pancake Day event that included eight Churches and a real community gathering, reaching out. Spend a special Ash Wednesday with Deacon Sarah Monroe in Aberdeen at St. Andrew’s Church and under the bridges REACHING OUT to bring Christ to the homeless.

These last two Sundays in Lent, we have had Bible lessons about REACHING OUT to Jesus. Lent 2: John 3:1-17 a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who came at night in fear of being seen REACHING OUT to Jesus (a Rabbi-teacher who has come from God), he cannot comprehend spiritual rebirth, but who found a tomb for Jesus?

Lent 3: John 4:5-42 a Samaritan woman comes to fetch water from Jacob’s Well at high noon, for she was despised in her own community, she REACHES OUT to Jesus on a literal level, knows He is a Prophet and that a Messiah is coming. Jesus responds “I AM HE” and she believes. She tells the community of Sychar and the REACH OUT after two days and proclaim Him Savior of the world.

Monday, March 24 Forward Day by Day Mark 5:28 “For she said, if I but touch His clothes, I will be made well”. She REACHES OUT and touches the hem of His garment and is healed. We must all REACH OUT before we can RECEIVE!

AMEN! 

Chuck