Recent Posts
Meet Erin Pacheco
This week, our church community is taking a big step forward in inhabiting our vision to follow Jesus in three dimensions: (1) Upwards in connecting to God in worship – (2) Inward in connecting to one another in friendship – and (3) Outward in serving our neighbors. Pastor Jeff has done an amazing job of stretching us in the outward dimension over the past five years. And, starting this week, we’ll have the benefit of having a skillful leader with the full-time focus of growing our commitment to worship, both on Sunday and all of life. I’ve asked Erin a few questions with the hope that her responses will put you on the fast track of knowing and appreciating her as much as I do!
– Pastor Gregg
Strange Season - Good Season
It’s been a little weird around here lately. February temperatures have repeatedly soared up into the ‘70s (I love it). There are daffodils and other spring flowers* already boldly erupting from the soil (also love it). I even saw a snapping turtle paddling around the pond at church earlier this week (really love it). And then there’s Leap Day, which I know is necessary to keep our solar calendar in good mathematical order, but whenever I try to do the calculations, it makes my brain hurt.**
On top of all these seasonal oddities, it’s Lent at the same time. I’ve had a hard time squaring my inner longing for silence and solitude with the call of the outdoors and sunny skies.
Lenten Luggage Drop
A new season is upon us! No, it’s not spring yet – despite the amazingly warm February temperatures and recent blaze of sunshiny days. It’s the season of Lent.
Alas, even to a passionate pastor, “Lent’ sounds less inviting than “spring.” After all, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday when the Biblical chorus for the day resounds, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Hardly a sunny sentiment. Fiercely realistic, though. You have to hand it to the Church on that front.
On the other hand, the season of Lent is all about following Jesus...
Hearts & Ashes
Something rare will happen next Wednesday – the confluence of two holidays on a single date – Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday colliding on a single square on the calendar, February 14. At first blush, these two holiday partners appear to have little in common.
Valentine’s Day is all about romantic love. Red roses, bottles of wine, cards and notes, and gifts for your sweetheart. Candy hearts, chocolate hearts, lacy hearts. All is meant to be sentimental, dreamy, and passionate. The Hallmark channel is going to have a big day.
Ash Wednesday is all about sacrificial love. It is touched with mortality, loss, and death.
Family Meeting
Like most families, our church family most regularly gathers in the family room (aka the “Sanctuary or “Worship Center”) on Sundays where our Fathers’ love is the primary feature. We also routinely see each other from across the table for a meal (“Communion” or “The Lord’s Supper”). Like most siblings, we squawk, fight, and squabble. We also apologize, forgive, and stick together through thick and thin. And on occasion, we talk about some family business.
This Sunday’s Congregational Meeting is exactly that: it’s for all the sisters and brothers of the Elmhurst CRC community to talk about the business of the church.
Talking Turkey
I’ve been talking about the country of Turkey quite a bit in recent sermons. There are a few good reasons for this. First, Jesus saw fit to share seven sermons of his own making with the first Christian Churches, which were located in what is now Western Turkey (“Asia Minor,” according to the Romans).
Another reason I’ve been talking about Turkey lately is that I had the opportunity to travel there for an extended period in 2023 while on sabbatical. Being on site amidst Roman ruins, and walking through the first cities where the Christian Church found its roots has been a long-term bucket list item!!..