The Salem Tidings

From the Pastor’s Desk

 Note from Pastor Paola:

 

Monday morning, I woke up with an unusual noise, a loud honk. Could it be true? The Canadian geese are back!! First day of spring and they show up on the little pond in front of my condo. They make a mess and they are loud but I love them. I know they will nest right in the pond and later in May I will see mom and dad taking the babies around and teaching them about life!! I can just stare at them for a long time!! They make me happy. Along with the geese, suddenly all kinds of birds are flying everywhere and singing. How do they know it is spring? It is amazing they have an internal clock that follows the change of the season to the date!

 

We may still have some snow here and there. Some cold may be still ahead of us, but it is spring. I am so happy and excited!! And I am not alone. Anywhere I went on Monday, from the doctor office to the store, at the bank…everyone couldn’t help but talking about the arrival of Spring. That is a major perk about living in Wisconsin. We don’t take the arrival of Spring for granted!! It is a gift !! It fills my heart with joy! The days are getting longer and warmer!! It is happening!! Halleluiah!!

 

As we look at the awakening of the creation around us we can have a glimpse of the transformation that God is bringing into our life everyday: from darkness to light, from mourning to dancing, from despair to hope, from death to life, from the cross to the resurrection. 

 

You may recognize this prayer of joy and praise. It is part of the liturgy of Worldwide communion Sunday. It is actually an ancient prayer that goes back to the third century AD. Christians in the midst of persecution and dangers were starting the day like this:

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Leader: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth.

 

Lent is making room to the Easter.   Please join me as we enter into Holy Week walking together toward the Easter celebration.

 

You have turned my mourning into dancing for me;
You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 
That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. (Psalm 30:11-12)

 

Blessings,