Repent – so I can love you fully!
“Repent” means “to turn back.” God’s people keep forgetting who they belong to, who loves them, who cares for them, who protects them. So God keeps sending prophets – and finally Jesus – to get his beloved, stiff-necked, wayward People to turn back to God.
Jesus told them this parable: “I have come looking for fruit.” — Luke 13:7
“Repent” has a bad connotation today. It upsets our inflated egos to think we’re not the ones in charge. But today’s readings show all that God yearns to give us, if we would just turn back to God: Spiritual food that satisfies fully. Deliciously healing drink. A lifting-up that draws the amazement of the world. A never-will-be-broken promise from the Creator of the universe to love us unconditionally. No matter what stupid things we do!
So Jesus comes along. Like a gardener who cherishes his plants, Jesus says, “Don’t strike them down just yet, God! Let me nourish them! Let me show them Your Way.” Are you willing to turn back?
All-loving Creator, nourish me with your spiritual food and lead me to repent – to turn back to you. Help me understand how blessed I will be when I walk the Jesus Path! Amen.
Today at Peace
Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9. Read them here.
Officiating: The Rev. Bill Wong. We are so happy to have Pastor Wong as our interim pastor while we transition to a new, settled pastor.
Need pastoral care? Please call the office at (530) 273-9631. Our office opens Monday through Thursday, 8:30am-3:30pm; closed for lunch 12-1pm.
Sunday School
TODAY and most Sundays, meet us at 9:45 a.m. in the Game Room (near the Fellowship Center). After a little fussbol, at 10 a.m. we move to our Youth & Family Lounge for a Sunday School lesson. Our focus right now: Living in the wilderness.
On the first Sunday of each month, we meet right after the 10 a.m. worship – at about 11:15 a.m. – in the Youth & Family Lounge.
Youth @ PEACE is our all-ages Bible study, where young disciples learn the core stories of our faith and what it means to walk the Jesus Path. We welcome all who yearn to learn about our loving, gracious Creator.
Toddlers & babies
Kids in church: PLEASE bring your young children to church! Their fussing and squealing may pain you, but they make us glad! Pick up an activity bag as you go into the Sanctuary (on the left in a basket, ask an usher). During the sermon, you can take your kids to our Nursery; a speaker is turned on so you can hear the sermon and follow the service.
Toddler Time: If you’re interested in our special Sunday School program for the tiniest of disciples, call (530) 575-6132. https://www.wearesparkhouse.org/store/category/286879/Frolic-Nursery
Coming up at PEACE
- Exercise class – Get fit at PEACE! Fun, inspiring exercise at 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Fellowship Center.
- Lenten Soup Supper & Prayer Service – Soup at 6:15 p.m., followed by Lenten Prayers at 7 p.m. every Thursday in Lent, in the Fellowship Center. Enjoy the fellowship!
- “The King of Kings” – Silent Movies with Walt Strony presents Cecil B. DeMille’s 1928 classic treatment of the ministry, passion and resurrection of Jesus. 4 p.m. Sunday, March 24. Free! https://peacelutherangv.org/news-events/peace-news/king-of-kings/
- Sing, quilt and volunteer with us! – Check out more events on PEACE’s online calendar.
OFFICE HOURS – 9 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1-3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Your spiritual growth
We would love to grow spiritually with you!
Like natural seasons, our church seasons have a special meaning for our spiritual lives.
We now observe the season of Lent. During this spiritual time, we read stories about difficulty, temptation and wandering in the wilderness of the soul. We remember to humble ourselves before our Creator and repent, or “turn back” to God. We also remember God’s great love for us, which heals and lifts us up. Thank you, God for sending your Anointed One – Jesus! – who mends this broken world!