Pastor's Blog

Friends,

 

I write this week as we continue to hear news about the spread of the novel coronavirus and an increase in infections in the United States. While the number of cases here is relatively low compared to other places in the world, there is still quite a bit of concern about ways in which we can balance the need for diligence in maintaining health while continuing to engage in our common activities of gathering for worship, study, service, and fellowship.

 

Our denomination, through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance agency, has published a guide which can be found here: https://pda.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/pda/pdfs/preparedness_for_pandemics.pdf

 

In short, this document outlines ways in which we might address concerns: “Churches will need to decide on the proper mix of isolation (cancelling activities) versus maintaining or increasing community mission programs.” At this point, we are taking the following steps:

• Passing of the Peace during worship – You are encouraged to speak and gesture toward one another, without shaking hands or hugging; one suggested method will be modeled at the beginning of worship each week.
• Communion – The bread is handled only by those who have washed hands and have used alcohol-based hand sanitizer. We are preparing to have individual cups of wine or juice available, rather than dipping bread into a common cup.
• Hand sanitizer is available in restrooms, in the sanctuary, and in a dispenser on the wall near the Fellowship Hall. Please use it liberally!
• If you feel uncomfortable or simply prefer not to participate in a particular activity or offering, please refrain! There is no expectation that anyone will be forced to participate in something which makes them feel uncomfortable or which they feel puts their health at risk! This includes sharing in hospitality/food after church or during other gatherings together.
• IF YOU FEEL SICK, STAY HOME and seek medical attention!

We will continue to monitor the news and the information available about the spread of the coronavirus as well as other infectious diseases. As the situation changes or develops or dissipates, we will review decisions and notify all.

 

Please pray for those around the globe who are suffering with this recent illness and with other more deadly and more prevalent illnesses that our news media have not publicized with such consistent alarm.

 

Peace,

 

Pastor Jack

 

 

 

Friends,

 

Today is Ash Wednesday – the day that marks the beginning of the season of Lent in our church calendar. We are observing this special day with contemplative worship services – one at 10:00 a.m. and one at 6:00 p.m. – a time for reflection, prayer, silence, music, and receiving the imposition of ashes. Part of the liturgy for this service is an invitation to observe a holy Lent. The invitation says, in part, “observe a holy Lent by self-examination and penitence, by prayer and fasting, by works of love and compassion, and by meditating on God’s Word.” These are all practices that our identity as Christians calls us to pursue throughout the year, not just during the season of Lent. However, during the next six weeks we are encouraged and invited to pay particular attention to these Christian practices and renew our discipleship.

 

How will you observe a ‘holy Lent’ this year? Will you give up something – the status that comes with privilege? Will you fast – consuming only what you need instead of all that you can afford? Will you be penitent – confessing the ways in which you may have participated, perhaps unknowingly, in structures of racism and sexism and classism? Will you engage in works of love and compassion – reaching out to those who are sick or lonely or hurting, feeding the hungry and clothing those whose wardrobe is insufficient?

 

I invite you to spend these next six weeks in ways that help you recenter and reclaim your identity as a Beloved Child of God. I invite you to come to church, worship together with others, study scripture together with others, work alongside others, and share your Lenten practices with others who are striving, like you, to be faithful to God’s claim on our lives.

 

Peace,

 

Pastor Jack

 

 

 

Friends,

 

It was good to be away for a few days, visiting family and friends in Houston, but it is even better to be home! I know Rev. Lemuel Garcia-Arroyo was warmly received, and I’m thankful he was able to be here in my absence. I’m glad to be back with you.

 

This Sunday, February 23, we will welcome our new Austin Seminary Intern, Kimbol Soques. Kimbol is in her second year at the seminary where, among other things, she is serving as an instructional aide for the Introduction to New Testament course being taught by Professor Margaret Aymer. Kimbol is a member of Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church and lives in the Travis Country neighborhood. Please be sure to welcome Kimbol and her husband Marty when you see them.

 

Next Wednesday, February 26, is Ash Wednesday – the day that marks the beginning of the season of Lent in our church calendar. In just a matter of days, we move from the awesome mountaintop experience of God’s light and holy presence on Transfiguration Sunday to the dark and somber observance of our frailty and mortality on Ash Wednesday. We will observe this special day with contemplative worship services – one at 10:00 a.m. and one at 6:00 p.m. These services will be identical, so there is no need to attend both; come to the service that is most convenient for your schedule. The service will be a time for reflection, prayer, silence, music, and receiving the imposition of ashes. Marking the sign of the cross in ash on your forehead is a way we remember our frailty and our mortality, and it is also a way to remember our ultimate faith in the God who journeys with us through the valleys of darkness as well as in the light of the mountaintop experiences.

 

Peace,

Pastor Jack

 

 

Friends,

 

Thank you for celebrating my birthday with me this past Sunday. The cards were delightful and the Tres Leches cake was delicious. I am so glad to have an extended family to share such special days with me!

 

I will be out of town on vacation this weekend, but you will have the opportunity to worship with the Rev. Lemuel Garcia-Arroyo in my absence (he is a good friend of mine, so welcome him as you would welcome me!).  I can’t believe that the one year anniversary of my “start date” as your pastor is coming up (February 15!). I will miss marking our anniversary with you, but I want to take just a moment to reflect on the journey we have shared in the past year. Here are a few of the highlights I shared with you at the Annual Congregational meeting a few weeks ago:

 

• We have studied together. We studied the Passion of Jesus, we studied parables and listened to ‘Postle Jack Tales, we studied the Book of Revelation and the Book of Jeremiah.
• We have worshipped together and prayed together and listened for the
• Word of God speaking to us. Each Sunday brings its own joys and opportunities.
• We have eaten together and celebrated together on so many occasions.
• We created and dedicated the labyrinth in memory of Jackie Wright
• and we dedicated the pathway in memory of so many other loved ones
• who have been part of our lives and part of this congregation.
• We deepened our relationships with the Hudson Bend communities –
• we ended some endeavors and expanded others.

In many ways it has been a year of getting acquainted, healing old hurts,
dreaming new dreams, and preparing to move into the future toward which
God is calling us. In every way, JR and I feel blessed to be part of this work
and this community. I look forward to what God has in store for all of us
together in the year ahead!

 

Peace,

 

Pastor Jack

 

 

 

 

Friends,

 

We had a wonderful celebration of the mission and ministry of our congregation this past Sunday! Thank you to everyone who attended, asked questions, offered praise, and worked at “being church together!” I know we have a bright future ahead of us in 2020, as we respond to the ways in which God is calling us to BE CHURCH in and for this greater Lake Travis community.

 

On Tuesday, a colleague of mine, a member of my lectionary study group, who works for the Presbyterian Foundation sent me a video he had run across from 2013. It features the Presbyterian Church of Lake Travis, the members, elders and pastors at the time, and the ways in which this congregation interacted with all six national agencies of the Presbyterian Church (USA). I had not seen this video previously, and it was really inspiring. It reminded me that God has been doing something remarkable here for a long time, and the people who are part of this congregation have been working hard for a long time to BE CHURCH in response to God’s call!

 

But there is more to do! God’s call to this congregation didn’t stop when the building got built. God’s call to this congregation didn’t stop when previous pastors retired or left or when previous elders or members moved away. God’s call to this congregation didn’t stop when you called me to be your pastor!

 

Let’s make this year, 2020, a year in which we recapture the momentum and vision that propelled this congregation into existence from a mere idea twenty years ago. I know with God’s help we can do it!

 

Peace,

Pastor Jack

 

 

 

Friends,

 

On Sunday, January 26, during our annual congregational meeting, we will celebrate Helen Currie Foster and the many years she has gifted this congregation with her music leadership and direction. For a congregation in its first years to have the musical talents of someone as gifted as Helen has been a true blessing. And she has encouraged and enabled so many others to offer their musical gifts as well! For all of this, and for Helen’s delightful presence among us, I give thanks to God!

 

Helen has decided to step away from serving as Music Director so she can spend more time traveling to see grandkids (oh, and kids too) who live in far-flung parts of the globe. Helen is not leaving our church; she is adopting a more relaxed way of participation! It is my hope that she will still grace us with her gifts and talents, both on the piano and in song, from time to time. Please plan to be part of this celebration during our congregational gathering this Sunday, and take time to offer a personal word of thanks to Helen as you can!

 

We will also hear some reports and conduct some business during our annual congregational meeting, as is appropriate. We will have a written report from each Session committee, summarizing what they have done in the past year. We will review the 2020 proposed budget, and we will vote on the Pastor’s terms of call (this is an annual requirement). This comprehensive annual report to the congregation will be available on the website by the end of the week (with a link in the What’s Happening email that is sent out on Friday), so that you can review it ahead of time. There will also be printed copies available on Sunday morning, so plan to arrive a few minutes early if you wish to review those documents before our Sunday morning activities get underway.

 

We will also have time for fellowship and, of course, food! Please plan to attend. This is an important part of being church together and I look forward to sharing this day with all of you.

 

Peace,

 

Pastor Jack