Dear Members and Friends,
We all know that we live in a time of deep division in our country. It’s easy to take sides, dig in, and become entrenched. Some have likened the way we live and consume media to silos, tall and narrow, unable to see into the next one. And there is fear that if we let our guard down, if we show vulnerability we will be attacked.
It’s hard for us to talk about hard issues. Even mentioning these issues can make people feel uncomfortable. I know I have struggled especially to talk about the sin of racism, not because it isn’t important, but because it is such a hot-button in our society.
No one wants to be called a racist; we seek to treat people the same no matter the color of their skin, and yet racism persists in our society. Is it all someone else’s fault? Do we bear any responsibility? Am I at fault?
This week, almost a year after George Floyd’s death, I kept thinking about the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16). After killing his brother, Cain pretends to not know what happened when God confronts him. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” he asks. And God says, “Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground.”
We know what God thinks about all the deaths caused by human fear and prejudice. The blood cries out. My hope, my prayer is that we can all let down our guards and really truly listen to one another. Listen to the pain felt by minorities, listen to their experience, don’t dismiss it.
This isn’t easy, but then again life isn’t easy. Jesus went to the cross, and that certainly wasn’t easy. Jesus invites us to walk the same hard road: “If anyone would want to become my follower, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Maybe, for a while, we need to walk the hard road and learn from Jesus and one another.
Peace, Prayers, & Love,
Pastor Tony
RESERVATIONS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED
to attend Sunday morning worship (10:45 a.m.)!
We will continue to wear masks and social distance.
4 Marygrace Seltzer
6 Beth Whitman-Pitzer
10 Marsha Krotseng
16 Evan Gogoj
19 Clare Hamm
21 Kari Kornish
24 Bob Davis
29 Colton Madison
30 Lynda Mann
31 David Dennison
New Bible Study Opportunity -- Starts Wed., April 28 Join us for an 8- week tour of Mark’s Gospel! Mark is usually thought to be the first gospel written (around AD 70) and one of the sources for the other gospel writers. Mark tells the story of Jesus quickly, often without some of the details we usually associate with the other gospels.
Where: On Zoom! When: Wednesdays, April 28-June 16, 7 PM Needed: A Bible
Register & get Zoom info by calling the office (717-243-4612);
or emailing Pastor Tony, alorenz.fpcarl@pa.net.
Six-year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother Joel were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang, and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough. "You're not supposed to talk out loud in church." "Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two men standing by the door? They're hushers." THANKS to our April "hushers" --
Bruce & Anita Ashbaugh; Rick Line; and Fred Seltzer.
Members of the Congregation, Ministers
The Rev. Anthony D. Lorenz, Pastor
The Rev. Jon A. Black, Pastor Emeritus
Debby Madden, Educator Emerita
Arthur Thompson, Organist
Ron Richcreek, Music Director
Avis Allen, Administrative Secretary
Chuck Adler, Sexton
Church Administrative Office Hours: Mon & Wed, 9-2
Office Phone: (717) 243-4612; Office E-mail: fpcarl@pa.net
Rev. Lorenz’ email: alorenz.fpcarl@pa.net
Rev. Lorenz’ phone number: cell (717) 609-3780 Website: www.firstprescarlisle.org