A message from Pastor Lynnae
From Pastor Lynnae:
Scripture is full of imagery! One of my favorites is the Potter and the Clay. Jeremiah 18 is one of the clearest examples: Verses 2-6 say, “So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, ‘Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?’ declares the Lord. ‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.'”
God as an artist is a traditional way to understand our creation, trials and formation. The art of molding, decorating and process of firing all fit our own creation stories. Sometimes we think we are in charge, sort of molding ourselves into the people of God. Sometimes we don’t like what we are being formed into – or don’t trust that God has a hand in our formation. How do we learn to trust God so that we truly live into the beauty of our creation? How are we being shaped into the image of Jesus? What if we crack or break or need to start over? Potters deal with this all the time.
Any time I visit a museum, there always seem to be cases with pottery shards and even unbroken pieces. We have been making pottery forever. This ancient practice was known by the first believers and continues today. The imagery of the potter and the clay fit into scriptures lessons.
This year for Lent we will study what it means to know God as the potter and ourselves as the clay.
Wednesdays during Lent
Our Lenten Sermon Series “The Potter and the Clay” will be held Wednesday evenings throughout Lent.
The potter that will be joining us to teach us about this work is Valerie Ray of Free Spirit Pottery. We will use Holden Village Evening Prayer and the services will be about 45-50 minutes long so that children can get home for their bedtimes. Simple Suppers will be offered from 5:15 – 6:30 after Ash Wednesday.
The Potter and the Clay
– Lent 2019 –
Ash Wednesday – March 6th / Created from the Clay of the Earth
Old Testament Lesson: Job 10:1-9
Psalm 139:13-18
New Testament Lesson: 1 Corinthians 15:45-55
Gospel: John 2:1-12 March 13th / In the Potter’s Hands
Isaiah 29:15-16 and Isaiah 64:1-8 (challis) March 20 / The Clay that We Are
Isaiah 45:9-19 (paten) March 27 / Chosen Vessels of Mercy
Romans 9:14-24 (pitcher) April 3 / Remodeling the Vessel
Jeremiah 18:1-11 (urn) April 10 / Treasure in Earthen Vessels
2 Corinthians 4:3-18 (final – lamp)