NOTES FROM WEST MOUNTAIN

The Rev. Mark Diters

Psalms of Lament…our Psalms come from a long, long time ago. It isn’t always easy to measure the significance of that. Traditionally they are attributed to King David. And there is no reason to think that he did not compose some of them. However, indications are that some of the Psalms were composed by musicians or priests, from later times. It is clear that all of them were written and used in worship before 500 BCE, at least 2500 years ago. That is a long, long time.

Despite the time, Psalms still excel at portraying our human expressions of faith, thanksgiving, praise, and lament calls for help. In their very nature, they connect our feelings with God and God’s relationship with us. It has been about eleven months since our world was turned upside down. It has been eleven months since we have had to narrow our lives in caution and even fear, eleven months of losing jobs and wellbeing, opportunities, health, and loved ones.

Psalms of lament…they speak our pain, our longing, and our desires. And they hold God in an authentic place. They often name God’s accountability. It is alright to complain to God. God can take it.

 “I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eyes waste away because of grief…” (#6) 

Or… “Why, O Lord do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (#10) 

Or… “Out of the depths I cry to you, O lord. Lord hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.” (#130)

Or, perhaps most fittingly… “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long?” (#13)

Have hope, the Psalmists oftentimes concluded their pleas with their faithful commitment. In spite of suffering, we are still God’s, and our promise is real. Psalm 13 does just that, “But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me” 

Amen and Amen,

Mark

VIRTUAL MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION

Let’s celebrate Mardi Gras!  Fat Tuesday is February 16th, and the Youth Group is excited to invite you to some online BINGO fun starting at 6:30 pm! We will be using “Let’s Play Bingo!” online from the comfort and safety of our homes. Please RSVP to Linda Wright (email LindaCWright256@gmail.com or call/text 860.573.8022) to reserve your spot!

FEBRUARY 2021 THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE SECOND MILE OFFERING – FOODSHARE

“Foodshare to Continue Distributing Food in East Hartford Through the. Winter”

Foodshare has been distributing food at Rentschler Field in East Hartford since the pandemic began.  Over 255,000 households have been served at this distribution site.

As a regional food bank, Foodshare serves Hartford and Tolland counties.  Foodshare operates 60 neighborhood Mobile Foodshare sites and teams up with more than 200 local partner programs (such as the West Hartford Food Pantry) to distribute food to those in need. Local coordinators report that the food distribution programs are no longer just supporting senior citizens in the city, but also people in many other situations due to the pandemic. Hunger is real.  Please consider contributing to this extremely vital organization.  For more information please visit their website www.foodshare.org.

WEEKLY OFFERING ENVELOPES

The weekly offering envelopes are available for pickup in the church office.

SILVER LAKE 2021

Registration for the 2021 summer season opens on January 15th. The 2021 brochure and additional information about the summer camp sessions is available at https://www.silverlakect.org/summercamp. The Board of Christian Service will once again offer scholarships to our children and youth to attend camp at Silver Lake.  More information will follow soon.