Dear Rose Park family,

Today’s letter comes from our beloved Mary Wisner…

Our God is unexplainable. Sunday, Pastor Mark hit my point home perfectly.

Dear RPRC family,

This week’s letter comes from our beloved Mary Wisner…

It is difficult to read Job. Most never get past the first two or three chapters…so let’s just start there on our quest to learn more of what Job has to teach us about God.

Dear RPRC family,

This week’s letter comes from our beloved, Mary Wisner.

For the next several weeks I am going to share with you what I’ve been learning in the book of Job.  Pastor Mark is graciously allowing me to use this weekly letter to the church platform for this purpose.

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,

Easter has come and gone. Lilies have been ordered, received, and taken home. Chocolate bunnies are now on clearance. Leftover ham is being used for cold sandwiches. Our Easter pastels have been relegated back into the closet and now we’re left with the question: what do we do now?

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.

Dear Rose Park,

Last Saturday, we gathered in the sanctuary to celebrate and remember the life of Carlene Hartman. Carlene was a staple in the Rose Park family, and she will be dearly missed. But thanks to one of her favorite flowers, her memory is going to stick around for quite some time.

Dear Rose Park,

The Worship Sourcebook describes the season of Lent using these words: as a period of preparation, Lent has historically included the instruction of persons for baptism and profession of faith; the calling back of those who have become estranged from the church; and efforts by all Christians to deepen their piety, devotion, and readiness to mark the death and resurrection of their Savior.