The Mind of Christ
Two opportunities for you this Sunday, Feb. 28:
.Join me for “Coffee With the Pastor” at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a chance to converse with me, ask questions and see others. Lasts about 45 minutes. Use this Zoom link to join:
https://tinyurl.com/feb-pastor-coffee
Meeting ID: 991 0948 9136, passcode: 650566
.Come to Drive-In Worship at 9 a.m. in the south parking lot. Enter on La Cañada. This is a chance to be present for live worship – pastors and musicians are live on a small stage. You listen to them on your FM radio. Those driving larger vehicles will be asked to park in the back and on the sides. Drive-in worship will be held Feb. 28, and March 7, 14 and 21. Lasts about 45 minutes.
Recorded worship will continue at 9:45 a.m. on Facebook St. Mark’s UMC Tucson, YouTube UMC St. Mark’s Oro Valley, and umcstmarks.org/live-worship.
The Mind of Christ
Just about four months from now, June 30, I will retire from appointed ministry at St. Mark’s. We now know that Rev. Lynn Bartlow will begin as the new Lead Pastor on July 1. Lynn’s husband, Rev. Ron Bartlow, will be appointed to lead St. Paul’s UMC on the east side of Tucson. With their two children (Will, 14 and Kate, 11) their family will relocate to Tucson from Flagstaff.
Between now and June 30, our work in ministry together continues, as it does for Rev. Lynn at Trinity Heights in Flagstaff. We’re in the middle of Lent, moving on toward Holy Week and Easter. Our Genesis Team is carefully considering what we might do for worship after Easter, since the COVID-19 data for Pima County shows reductions in cases and hospitalizations. We’re considering many options and all require us to devote time and energy to implement.
So it is my joy to continue to serve and lead at St. Mark’s. This Sunday, Feb. 28, we continue our Lent series “Love Is … A Journey to Philippi,” as we delve into chapter two of the Book of Philippians. What does it mean to “have the mind of Christ Jesus”? Probably every day we use the word “mind” in some way like, “that came to mind” or “that’s her mindset” or “that dog just won’t mind!” We’ll talk about the challenges of having a Christlike mind and what that means for us today. Also, at recorded worship you’ll get to enjoy a children’s time led by Isaiah Weiler and me.
Life is full of mixed emotions, which we often experience at the same time. Those include joy and sorrow, excitement and disappointment, pain and relief. I expect these next few months to be covered with those mixed emotions. Through it all, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God!
Blessings,
Sharon