March 30, 2007

Dear family and friends of WCPC:

Jullie is the gardener in our family.  She has the next two days off and her plans are to spend both of them in the yard, weeding, pruning, planting, and fertilizing.  When she’s finished the yard will come to life.  Of course Jullie wont’ be satisfied.  She will keep working on it throughout the spring and into the summer and even into the fall.

Many have talked about the spiritual life as a garden.  I think it’s a good analogy.  As with any garden, if it’s neglected weeds start to grow.  If certain plants aren’t pruned, they can in time take over the whole garden.  It’s also important to fertilize.  Adding nutrients to the soil accelerates growth.

In our spiritual lives there are times when a little weeding can go a long way.  Just as over the months of winter weeds can often get a foothold in even a well cared for garden, if we aren’t careful weeds such as repressed anger, bitterness can take hold in our hearts and minds.  If we aren’t intentional about keeping our lives balanced, it’s easy to let good things, but not the best things crowd out our time with God, with family, with friends.  And of course, just as plants need nutrients to grow and flower, we need time with God in prayer, in the study of the Bible, in worship and in service, so that we can grow and flower.

Sunday marks the beginning of the Holiest week in the Christian year.  I’m hard pressed to think of a better time to begin to do some work in the garden of the soul. 

We want WCPC to aid you as you care for your spiritual garden, so in addition to our normal times for worship on Palm Sunday and Easter, this coming week we will be offering each week day at 7:00 a.m. in the Prayer Garden a time of worship and reflection as we walk with Jesus through the last week of His earthly life.  These times of worship will always conclude by 7:30 a.m.  Gene or I will share a brief reflection from the gospel of Mark each day and music will be provided by one of the guided musicians in our congregation.  On Thursday we will hold our traditional Maundy Thursday service.  As we remember the very last days before the crucifixion, we will gather around the Lord’s Table and offer thanks to God for the free gift God offers to us through Jesus. 

If over the last few months you’ve allowed your spiritual garden to be uncared for, now is the time to turn your attention again to it, so that your spring, Eastertide in the life of the Christian community, can be full of color and life and growth.

Your pastor,

David Jones