The weeds are growing, the sage bushes are blooming, and the wet winter has brought new life to the desert once more. I’m grateful for daylight in the early evening, and I’m grateful for allergy medicine. This Lent, I’ve been grateful for time to read and reflect, time to visit and plan, time to pray and worship.
It’s five weeks until Easter, and six weeks left in the Gospel of Matthew. After Easter, we’ll spend some time with the book of Acts and Paul’s letter to the Romans. Worship attendance has been down, with many members traveling, dealing with illness, and issues of aging, this is the reality many churches are facing. Our weekly gathering around the body and blood of Christ, and God’s Word is vital to following Jesus. We cannot be Christians alone. If you are so moved, I’d encourage you to make some time for a visit or a phone call to those who have been unable to attend for a while.
Here’s what else we’re doing together:
Tomorrow evening, March 21st, RLC with Nevadans for the Common Good will host a candidate forum for the City Council election happening next month. This event was planned by our neighborhood associations and has helped to grow our relationships with our neighbors! March 31st, we will have ONE worship service at 9am, followed by our community cookout! We’re inviting the neighborhood to join us for food, fun, and music! Flyers will go out to the neighborhood next week, and Facebook invites have been getting a lot of attention. Palm Sunday is April 14th, and we will once again worship with Holy Spirit Lutheran and Lakes Lutheran Church at Lorenzi Park. Worship will begin at 10am and include music and preaching from all three churches, to be followed by lunch. Tuesday, April 16th, the Nevada Homeless Alliance will host the next Pop-Up Project Homeless Connect (a resource fair for folks experiencing homelessness) at Shadow Hills Downtown – Reformation will participate by loaning some tables, providing some music, and sharing information and prayer.
Our Tax program will be wrapping up soon, and our volunteers have helped so many file this year and receive their tax refunds. I’d like to especially thank Audra for managing this program and to Mary for making the appointments! We are still in need of volunteers willing to sit in the Family Room during worship Sunday mornings. We have a few that have signed up and look forward to having that space as an option to welcome little ones who’d be more comfortable there. We’re also on the look out for a changing table for that room. Our senior meal program can always use more volunteers to serve up hungry seniors. The program, helped by additional grant dollars, is growing and serving an average of 50 meals per day!
Thank you all for your faithfulness, and for all of the ways you give and serve and lead in this ministry. I am humbled to be your pastor, grateful for your care for me and my family, and excited by the opportunities we have to share the heart of Christ in the heart of the city!
Pastor Jason Adams
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