A Note From Pastor Andrew
Greetings, FLC!
Spring is here! As I write this, the sun is shining, the air warming, the chestnut tree just outside the church is beginning to bud. All the signs of spring are arriving, as always, without regard to perhaps the many anxieties we carry. I always treasure when spring comes and the world outside begins to get noisy again with the sound of the birds chirping away. They have faith in the earth returning to spring. Although when days of warming sun turn to sudden snow, I’m sure some birds wished they had stayed in warmer climates a bit longer, but they are never late for the arrival of spring. The birds trust in their Creator.
As we come into spring and the Easter season, I hope we can contemplate that sense of faith together. For you may notice that on Sunday mornings during the Easter season all of our gospel texts have a certain theme of trust running through them. But as disciples of Christ, we might often find within our desire to trust is a nagging sense of doubt. Before saying anything more, it is important to note that doubt is not the opposite of faith – I would even say the experience of doubt is essential to the experience of faith – but that presence of doubt can nevertheless be troubling to us.For example, on the second Sunday of Easter, we hear about “Doubting Thomas” (a nickname I believe is quite unfair to Thomas), and we may wonder if we too would have needed more proof of such a fantastical claim as resurrection. On the fourth Sunday of Easter, Jesus explains to the religious leaders who oppose him how his “sheep know my voice.” We may hope that we do, but we may wonder, what if I don’t?Here at Faith Lutheran, I have learned of a wonderful, rich history of stepping out in faith – of trusting in the Creator. I sense a new step of faith is on our horizon. May we explore that together this season, and the doubt, too.May faith arise in your hearts,Pr. Andrew
Read more from the April newsletter and previous newsletters. Also visit the Calendar page to know more about Faith Lutheran Church in Columbus, Wisconsin.