Charis Weathers (now of Seattle) spoke on the Lenten theme "Where were you?" This was the question on the minds of all who loved Lazarus, because his sisters, friends and acquaintances were convinced that if Jesus, the miracle healer, had only come when called, Lazarus would not have died. The gospels do not indicate why Jesus postponed going for four days, but since his contemporaries assumed that one's soul hovers around the body for three days, waiting until after the fourth day would mean that nobody disagreed: Lazarus was truly deceased, buried and decomposing. The writer of the gospel of John portrays Jesus' miracle of resurrection as the 'final straw' which prompted the temple authorities to organize his execution, so it was no small matter on many levels. There are so many points to ponder in this story, and they often overshadow the very simple question, "Where were you?" This is a question some believers ask of God in private prayers, or turn over in their minds when their closest friends do not seem to notice their needs and suffering. Possibly one answer offered by this story is that God is indeed always present, but not in ways we expect or insist upon. [JEK]

Passage: Jn 11:17-37
Communion: No
Ecumenical or Event: Lent II
Potluck Lunch: No
Congregational Meeting: No

Speaker: Charis Weathers
Worship Leader: Andre Pekovich
Song Leader: J Evan Kreider
Pianist: Deberah Shears
Usher: Henry Neufeld
Zoom Coordinator:
Children's Feature Leader:

Bring Flowers: Ruth & Doug
Coffee Helper:
Sound Helper:

Child Care Volunteer: