Dear Beloved,

As I reflect on Pastor Marc's pastor’s paragraphs, the scriptures read by worship leaders, and on formal and informal conversations with people from Friedens and in the community, three things keep filling my spirit, body, and mind - prayer, fruit of the Spirit, and community.

Whether we find ourselves in the midst of uncertainty, challenge, anxiety, tears, or calm, I think Jesus offers these gifts in his explicit teachings and in the ways he modeled them. While at work or with family or friends or out and about, or in zoom meetings, these three offerings keep coming to my heart. I want to rely on them. I want to offer them to the people around me. Perhaps there are days when you feel like life is a lot and/or you wonder how we can make a difference in the midst of suffering near and far, may you also find hope in the blessings of community, the fruit of the Spirit, and prayer. 

Maybe you’d like to pick one of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on during this upcoming season of Lent which goes from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week, or maybe you’d like to pick a different fruit of the Spirit to reflect on each week of the Lenten Season.  I appreciate all the ways you are already sharing the fruit of the Spirit in your lives.

 May you find rest and strength in God's faithfulness and covenantal promise to always be with us. You are a loved and loving child of God.

With gratitude,

Sarah 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22