
Life as broken people living in a broken world will include pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Even for those who follow Jesus, there are times in which we feel as if we've been abandoned. It's a times like this when God's Word is a real gift to us. Not only are there encouraging messages and promises that can refocus our eyes on God's presence and the hope we have in Him, but there are also books like Lamentations which can help us find solidarity in our distress.
The Israelites went through horrific suffering at the hands of the Babylonians and, even though they had been warned that this punishment was coming because of their rebellion against God, it was beyond what they could bear. Jeremiah witnessed it all and puts the pain into words. Some of it is hard to read, and we may feel tempted to look away. However, the fact that God meets us in our pain - and even shares in it - makes a world of difference. And the five poems of lament which make up the book help us remember that we're not alone in our pain.
This Sunday, February 23rd, we'll be continuing in our IMMERSE: POETS series by considering chapter 3 of Lamentations. I hope you're joining us on this reading journey, but take the time to read and reflect on this passage in preparation.
Another wonderful resource for understanding Lamentations is the animated overview of the book found on Right Now Media and on Youtube. Here are the links to it:
https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/VideoElement/204171
https://youtu.be/p8GDFPdaQZQ
Is Your Fruit Fresh?

Hele mei hoohiwahiwa (come celebrate) at the Luau Potluck!

One of our values as a congregation is building inter-generational relationships and what better way to do that than to laugh and play together?! After all, we are all ohana (family). So break out your tropical outfit and join us for a memorable evening together! Ho'olu komo la kaua (please join us)!