I am so thankful that today is March 20th, the first day of Spring! The harsh winter of 2026, cannot hold back new life from bursting forth! Even so, I am holding on firm to strands of hope! Even so is a powerful turn-of-phrase which we need to claim for our lives and our world.
I love going for walks in early spring and noticing new life showing up in unlikely spaces, like wildflowers emerging through cracks in the sidewalk and colourful blossoms on grassy curbs. Don’t you? No one intentionally planted them, but they just show up, announcing a new beginning! They help me to stay positive even on grey days; even so, God is creating a new beginning.
For me they are a reminder that “resurrection is a biblical promise. Jesus prophesied at least three times, that he would die on a cross and in three days rise from the dead. He prophesied that he would rise from the dead three times! We don’t need to understand it, God does not break promises. We can believe it now.
I know that is hard to believe. I struggle too. It sounds radical, but it is a truth claim we make each Sunday, when the community gathers for worship. For the early church, each Sunday is a celebration of a little Easter. New life, though unreasonable by worldly standards, is real today.
Our world today, seems as barren as the blank bare canvas of earth, after a harsh winter. Geo-politic tensions, wars, violations of human rights and social injustices, create a landscape that approaches a valley of dry bones. Some people are breathing in toxic air, as fuel from blown up oil refineries burn. Their lungs are being compromised. It seems like the promise of new life is empty. Has it arrived too late? Hope seems unreasonable. But, when everything falls apart, faith remains our first priority as followers of Jesus.
In the Gospel of John, chapter eleven, Jesus arrives in Bethany, the village where Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived, too late, it seemed. Lazarus had already died, and was buried in a tomb for at least four days. If Jesus had arrived earlier, he could have possibly healed him. Martha runs out to meet him and is almost angry, saying these words “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
With Martha, even though the time for a different ending seemed to have passed--my prayer is that we can say “that we believe, that even now God will show up through Jesus” blessing us with hope, for our time. On Sunday, I will share some of my faith practices for nurturing unreasonable hope. Why this radical faith?
Because, Jesus is the giver of new life, Now! Tomorrow (March 20th) is the first day of Spring! Let’s embrace the promise now!
Let’s explore on Sunday March 22nd, 10:00 am, at Lowville United Church, “What New Life looks like Now,” as we study The Gospel of John, Chapter 11 ‘The Raising of Lazarus”. We will be singing some favourite hymns such as: “Be Thou My Vision” and “I Danced in the Morning”. This service will acknowledge the complexities of grief and nurture hope.
Spiritual Practice:
In order to better understand the gospel reading please view the following you tube link that features the Chosen’s dramatization of the Raising of Lazarus:
Chosen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITkCumgHm7c
A DRAFT copy of the Annual Report is available in the Zimmerman Room or you may click on the linc to view. DRAFT 2025 ANNUAL REPORT
UPCOMING SERVICES
April 19th – Mary Parsons
LENTEN/ EASTER SERVICES
Mar 29th – Palm Sunday with Palm Parade Annual Meeting.
April 2nd –Maundy Thursday, (12 pm), Breaking Bread, Drinking from the Cup, with light soup lunch.
April 3rd – Good Friday (10 AM).
April 5th – Easter Sunday
UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Interested in Contemplative Prayer based on John Mark Comer’s
“Practicing the Way”. Please chat with Rev. Roni for further information.
ANNUAL REPORTS DRAFT copies are available for pick up TODAY in the Zimmerman Room. You may also click on the link. DRAFT 2025 ANNUAL REPORT
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Sun Mar 29th following service.
UCW meeting Wed Apr 8 (11:30am) Zimmerman Rm. Bring your lunch.
REV RONI`S OFFICE HOURS at our Church are Mon, Tues & Wed (10am - 3pm) Contact Info: [email protected] or Cell (416) 271- 531 (text, email or phone for appointment).
REFRESHMENTS Choose a Sunday to bring “after Worship” refreshments. Sign-up Sheet is on the Zimmerman Rm Bulletin Board (south/east wall).
LOWVILLE CARES Place your Local Food Bank Donations in Zimmerman Room Baskets located under the Guelph Line window near the Sanctuary door.
ONLINE CALENDAR Did you know that Lowville has an online calendar??? Go check it out at www.lowvilleunitedchurch.ca/calendar. It’s updated with all the happenings.
DONATIONS to Lowville United Church can now be made online by scanning the following QR code with your phone or by clicking the Donation link at Lowville United Church Donations
