Fourth Sunday in Lent

The most known scripture in the Bible is John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." God gave everything to provide grace for us. We remember that God's gift of grace is through faith. We are not justified by our works - so that no one may boast. We were made through Christ for good works, which was prepared to be our way of life. Some people question if as Christians we are immune from harm, disappointments, heart ache, or illness. Unfortunately, we are not. We face the same potential problems as other people. However, we are strong because we have the promise God will never leave us. It is hard to imagine any kind of hope in the loss of a spouse (or partner), mother, father, cousin, nieces, nephews, or siblings. However, even in such a tragedy we have the hope of life eternal where we will be reunited to our loved ones that share in our faith by the grace we were granted by the sacrifice of Christ. The world can be a bad place. Evil deeds and destruction are all around but we remember so clearly the words, ''come to me and I will give you rest (-Jesus)." For almost the entire time the world has existed there have been murders, thefts, intentional injuries, arsons, and many other abuses that people have committed against each other. God could have very well sent Jesus into the world to condemn the world, but he did not. Scripture says, "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." As you look at the altar remember that in the Eucharistic feast we have faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. When you approach the altar rails to receive the body and blood I invite you to come to tears. Bring all of your disappointments, fears, pains, hurt feelings, failures, and injuries. I invite you to be made whole. Every time we partake in Holy Communion remember God's sacrifice and God's promise never to leave us. Life can be challenging and does not always go according to what we plan, but we can get through it. At the lowest points of our lives God is at his best. When we do wrong God is drawing us back to the fold. God loves you. He really does love you, in spite of anything you have ever done, or ever will do. Even the most unlovable person is valued and cared for by God. Take all your burdens and leave them at the feet of our Lord. Cling to the Christian promise of never being forsaken. Come dear Jesus, be our light and our refuge, our rock, and our salvation. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Collect:
GRACIOUS FATHER, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread of heaven which giveth life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Pray for healing especially for:
John Cunningha, Betty Stenger, Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, David Garber, Pete Walburg, Ella Lane, Sara Pace, Bill Gardner, Katie Armstrong, the Heaton family, Lisa McNelly, Jimmy Milas, and Pete Stanish.

(1st Reading Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3,17-22, 2nd Reading Ephesians 2:1-10, Gospel John 3:14-21)

Announcements:
**Father Swann will be available to hear confessions during Lent (by appointment).
**The last Lenten Work Day will be held this coming Saturday (03/24/12) from 9AM-Noon
**Christian Enrichment Training has begun and starts every Sunday morning at 9:20AM in the Parish Hall. Please come show your support for this vital part of our shared life together. In order to be a witness to others you have to know your faith.

<<<<<<< This special St. Patrick's Day cake was made by Lani Brooks. The cake tasted as good as it looks. You did a fantastic job, thank you.