Hola Kelsey Family,

I was working on our upcoming announcements and noticed something. They were all about food. Feed 'em, and they will come, I suppose.

Actually, there's something meaningful about breaking bread together. Have you ever noticed the stories we have about Jesus and food? No matter who you are, you need food. Our hunger is a reminder we all have a common need. And when we eat together, we share more than combined ingredients. We share a fellowship God created us to enjoy.

So, I hope you'll take advantage of the times we have to eat together (and help me thank those who make it possible!). 

By the time you read this, we'll have already seen Nathan for the first time in a few months. Today (Thursday), he's graduating from Basic Training. We'll spend the afternoon with him; he leaves for Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo on Friday. Thank you all for your well wishes and for even taking the time to write him while he was away. He says to tell you all "Hello!"

This Sunday, we're having a baptism. What a joyful time it will be. We'll also begin a Lenten worship series called "Hope in the Ashes." We'll be reading the book of Lamentations for the next several weeks--not just a few passages from the book, but the entire book. We'll call it a journey through grief, truth, repentance, and resilient hope. 

I hope you've been able to enjoy the weather this week. Someone posted a list of "side quests" to counter the daily grind and focus on work. They included things like taking a walk, starting a garden, and many more. Actually, I think a lot of those things should be the main events of our days. Enjoy the life God has given you. 

Stay blessed...john

P.S. Speaking of food--we're hosting Lenten dinners starting next Wednesday at 6 pm. 

Another Name for Every Thing is a Christian spirituality podcast featuring Franciscan priest and contemplative teacher Richard Rohr in conversation with two of his students about action, contemplation, and the message of “the Universal Christ.”

If this week's message resonated with you, especially the idea that clarity often comes later, that faith grows through mystery, and that discipleship is more about following than figuring everything out, I recommend this podcast that has helped many people walk that path well.

What would it have been like to be on the mountain with Jesus? Peter didn’t understand it in the moment, and that’s exactly the point. In this message, we explore the Transfiguration, what it teaches us about faith, and why discipleship is about following Jesus even when we don’t have all the answers.