Lent @ South Britain Church is all about seeing the GOOD NEWS!
Sundays at 10:00 on-site and online at southbritainchurch.org
About this week's worship:
In many modern contexts, it may seem sweet that Jesus welcomed little children; however, in Jesus’ setting, spending time with children would have seemed wasteful or useless. When Jesus blesses a crowd of children (after the disciples rebuke them and try to send them away), he once again reorients socially-constructed hierarchies to center the vulnerable. Throughout his ministry, Jesus emphasized the last, the least, and the lost, building upon the mandates of the Hebrew scriptures to care for the immigrant, widow, and orphan among you. Deuteronomy repeatedly reminds the Israelites, “you were once slaves in Egypt.” Their memory of oppression should impel them to provide for anyone under-resourced or cut off from the protection of a household. Similarly, Jesus uplifting children is a reminder that we were all once children and we have all been vulnerable at some point in our lives, relying on the protection and care of others. If we’re truly living out the good news, then anyone vulnerable will not only be protected from harm, but cared for so they have the chance to thrive.
About our Lenten worship series:
Lent was originally a season for new converts to learn and prepare for their baptisms on Easter. During that time, they would study what was central to Christianity. When we seek what is central to Jesus’ life and ministry we find: radical welcome, love for neighbor, care for the vulnerable, nourishment for the hungry, nonviolence in the face of injustice. In short, Jesus’ teachings are full of liberation, love, mercy, and grace – all of which are meant to be very good news for us all.
This Lent, let us remember that the good news really is good news. It is joyful – like fine wine saved for celebration. It grows like a mustard seed and smells like perfume poured from an alabaster jar. It tastes like bread passed endlessly through a hungry crowd. It sounds like laughter and feels like mercy. The good news is alive in the world.
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The South Britain Congregational Church is an 🏳️🌈 Open & Affirming 🏳️🌈 member of the United Church of Christ located in Southbury, CT. southbritainchurch.org
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