This past Sunday was a double-header of sorts. When I was young and went to see baseball double headers, we called them “bargain bills.” I loved spending the day at two (count ‘em 2!) baseball games for the price of one. It made it worth the hours long trip to Cleveland or Pittsburgh. I also remember many memorable double features at the movie theatre in my hometown. When I later worked at the movie theatre in high school, double features were a lot less fun.

But nothing I have experienced before compares to the experience I had this past Sunday morning. It began with our worship service and its challenging texts, its glorious music (thanks to Natalie and friends!), and our honest response to God in both confession and lament. It was very much a service of Lent. After a short break we continued to worship God, but to claim the promise of resurrection for our sister Bonita Blake. And in the case of any service for the death of a Christian, the season immediately became Easter. Our paraments and stoles were white, and our avoidance of “alleluias” was suspended. We sang of hope and resurrection, and even Bonita added her voice to the service—which included a rousing call-and-response sermon from Pastor Steve. And both services were just what we needed at the time. Thank you for participation in what could have been liturgical whiplash, but what I hope for you, were two expressions of worship that we needed to offer God that day, and we met God in that process.

I have heard from Jessica Blake Heyde, Bonita’s niece who has offered many words of thanks to our church over the past few weeks. I will distill those messages down to this: thank you for the love and care that was put into Sunday’s service for my Aunt Kay, and all the love and care received by my Aunt Kay over the years by First Covenant Church. And I thank you as well. For those who are interested, you can find the entire concert given by Bonita in the 1980s here. Enjoy!

A further word of thanks is also due to those who have contributed their reflections on a psalm, and those who have signed up to do so. We now only have 9 slots left and encourage you, if you haven’t already done so, to take one of those available slots.

On a different note, in the midst of all we have to be thankful for, there is much to be concerned about, particularly those fleeing Ukraine, and now increasingly those fleeing Russia itself. Many have asked if Bethany Church has recommended somewhere to donate to, and at this point they have not. As a Church Council, we decided to encourage you to contribute to Covenant World Relief. They are on the ground and active in caring for those who have fled their homeland. We consider donations made to CWR efficient and effective because of their many partnerships in this work. You can learn more about their work and make contributions at this link.

Martin Luther was quoted as saying, “I have a busy day today, I must spend extra time in prayer.” In this spirit I would add, ‘there is so much going on in the world, we need to spend more time in prayer’. Might those prayers give us insight on how to serve God in the days ahead, as individuals and as a congregation, as well as give us inspiration to serve. It might just take a double-header.

Pastor Todd

04/21/2023 JFC