March 5, 2026
Good afternoon friends!
Thinking about our season of Lent:
Lent invites us into a season of honest reflection. It is forty days in which we are invited to slow down enough to notice the deeper movements of God’s grace. It is not a time for spiritual perfectionism, but for returning. Returning to prayer, to simplicity, to compassion, and to the quiet places where God’s voice is easier to hear.
As Presbyterians, we hold Lent not as a burden but as a gift. It reminds us that repentance is not about shame but about reorientation – we are invited to turn again toward the One who already loves us fully. These weeks lead us through the wilderness with Jesus, teaching us that God meets us not only in triumph but also in hunger, questions, and vulnerability.
Many choose to give something up or take something on during Lent. Whatever practice you choose, I hope it is something that opens space for grace rather than adds pressure. The goal is not to prove our devotion but to become more attentive to God’s presence in our daily lives.
May these days draw us closer to the heart of God and to one another.
THIS WEEK:
Pastor Bob preaches from Romans 5:1-11. I’ll be out on National Guard duty. I can guarantee you, it is yet another interesting time to be a part of the Michigan Air National Guard.
This Sunday, Spark completes its 5-month long study of the Gospel of Mark. We will then begin two, 2-session studies, one each on Judas and on Nicodemus. This week, the Presbytery officially designated Spark as a “New Worshipping Community,” which clears the way for us to apply for a national grant to support the program.
To God be the Glory!
Pastor Dan