Dear Rose Park,
According to a 2021 Pew Research Report, roughly a quarter of the American population hadn’t read a book (printed, audio, or electronic) in the past year. I imagine many of us recognize the importance of reading. We know it helps our minds, vocabularies, and worldviews to grow. We know how reading to children helps benefit the development of their brains and social skills. We also know, as Christians, that we should be reading our bibles more.
Today’s letter comes from our beloved Mary Wisner…
Dear Rose Park Family,
True confession. I may choose a different aisle, so I don’t have to follow whiny children or an irritable parent. Don’t get me wrong. I love children just not when they whine. I feel for irritable parents having to take them to the store.
Dear Rose Park,
This past Sunday, we had the great joy of celebrating the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper around the communion table. During our time of worship though, immediately prior to coming to the table, my five-year-old daughter pulled on my shirt sleeve and asked me a question that I’ve been thinking about ever since.
Dear Rose Park,
This past Monday, I went on a field trip with Simon’s first grade class. A few minutes after 9:00am, the three first grade teachers, along with an army of volunteers, led their students on a short walk to the north branch of Herrick District Library on Riley St. It was a beautiful morning and a lovely walk. Simon introduced me to a few of his friends who tried to inform me about a video game called Minecraft (I still have no idea what it is). As we sat down in the gathering area of the library and were introduced to the librarians, I was reminded of Acts 2 and thought of you all.
Dear Rose Park,
Today is the Wednesday of Holy Week. Holy Week invites us to journey alongside Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane to a betrayal, an arrest, a public trial, a horrid crucifixion on the cross, and eventually to a grave. Ultimately, Holy Week invites us to consider our own mortality and need for a Savior by pointing us to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Dear Rose Park,
This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is the day where we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This year at Rose Park, Palm Sunday marks the day where we welcome and celebrate new members joining the family of Rose Park. But it also marks the day that begins Holy Week where Jesus will be betrayed, arrested, tried, persecuted, crucified, and buried. Needless to say, Holy Week is an emotionally heavy week.
