J The Spire The Beacon on the Seine March 2012 The American Church in Paris www.acparis.org 65 Quai d’Orsay, 75007 Paris, France Thoughts From Rev. Dr. Scott Herr Senior Pastor Dear Members and Friends of the ACP, By the time you receive this edition of The Spire we will have already entered into the Lenten journey. I hope that you are taking advantage of the on-line or hard copy version of the Lenten Devotional that has been compiled from contributions from a wide diversity of members and friends of our congregation. You may also be taking this season as an opportunity to join a small group using the Hole in Our Gospel book by the President of World Vision, Richard Stearns and/or using the study guide on-line. I love Bono’s review: "His form of worship is to be the eyes of the blind and the feet of the lame. Rich Stearns is much more than a powerful voice in the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty; he is an action hero." I wonder if you can imagine yourself as an action hero for Christ? I think God can and does! I think God dreams about the church coming alive in this Lenten Spring and embodying the grace and truth of the gospel in creative ways. One person can change everything. We remember in this season how Jesus’ patient and persistent journey toward the cross changed everything. I love the ironic fact that this year Palm Sunday, the gateway into Holy Week, also happens to be April Fool’s Day! Paul writes in the first chapter of I Corinthians, “for the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God… For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” God has called even us to follow Jesus along the way of the cross and in this season of Lent we are considering what it means to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. What do we need to let go of, and what do we need to embrace to follow Jesus more faithfully all the way to the cross? I admit that sometimes it is hard to know where God is leading. I can only rest in the assurance that God’s will is to lead us into resurrection life, into the new creation and Kingdom life that has begun already in Jesus Christ. My spiritual director gave me the following prayer which I think is helpful for us as we continue along the Lenten journey of the cross together: “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone “(Thomas Merton – Thoughts in Solitude). Being transformed with you to be an “action hero” …and “a fool”? In Christ, Scott Thoughts from Rev. Dr. Glen Thorp Interim Associate Pastor MARCH MADNESS... occurs in the middle of this month in the United States of America as the top basketball teams from the Division I Universities play against each other to determine the best in the nation. Sixty- four schools are chosen from each of the regions of that nation. In a round-robin format teams are narrowed down to 32 then to 16, and then to eight, until the Final Four who vie for the championship. Similar to the African Cup of Football that just was completed in Gabon, Africa. March is also when the Irish and those wanting a fun time go mad celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. I understand that those outside Ireland make much more of St. Patrick’s Day than do those in Ireland. March named for planet Mars, has a sinister quality as well. “The Ides of March,” (in the ancient Roman calendar was the 15th day of the month), is associated with the murder of Julius Caesar, first emperor of Rome in 14 AD. The Vernal Equinox (first official day of Spring) is March 21. In Central America it marks the return of the rains and time for planting seeds. Christians commemorate Lent (Spring & Lengthening of Days) which continues through March. For us, Lent is a time of Study and Reflection. Two instruments are available to assist us. A Lenten Devotional, available on our church’s website: www.acparis.org was written by our members. Begin with today’s date and read one each day. The second tool is The Hole In Our Gospel. Again it is also available, as a link, on our website. We encourage you to join a small group studying this topic. Groups are available at different times, days and locations through the week. There will be a poster, on the welcome table in the theater, with all the locations, days and times of small groups. Choose the one most convenient for you and sign your name in that box. Contact me, if you don’t see a group for you or if you can’t attend worship, at [email protected] and I will assist you in finding a group. Did you know that God has given you a Spiritual Gift for use Ministry within this congregation and our surrounding community? If so, do you know what that gift is? When you know and use God’s gift to you, you will be freed and equipped for ministry. I will be leading a workshop on Spiritual Gifts, 7 March from 9h00 – 12h00. If you would like to attend contact me at the email address, above. If you cannot attend during the day, write me and we will look for another time to lead this workshop. March Madness, and St. Patrick’s Day, seem out of step with Lent. That is the reality of the world in which we live. Taking a few minutes a day to read a devotion, reflect, pray and participate in a weekly small group will assist in keeping the Power of the Transforming Good News (Gospel) balanced with our daily activities and the choices we make. During this month let us envision walking with Jesus towards Jerusalem even knowing what he faced when he arrived. Holy Week starts Palm Sunday, which is 1 April, and culminates with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is Next month’s topic. March is a fun month filled with madness and celebration. Let us balance it by worshiping each Sunday, using the Lenten Devotional, and participating in a small group. In the Joy of the Lord, Glen Thorp Thoughts From Rev. Dan Haugh Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry Saint Patrick's Day has become a huge cultural celebration that transcends religious beliefs and ethnic boundaries. Hey, after all, everyone is Irish on St. Patty's Day! But it occurred to me that very few students and young adults know the story behind the parade and green beer...the man called Patrick. If you have never read or familiarized yourself with his life, I highly recommend it. Kidnapped and enslaved at age 16 he was brought from his home in England to the land of savages in Ireland, Patrick where he had visions from God that gave him strength and lead to his escape. So inspired and moved by God once home, he felt compelled to return as a missionary to preach the gospel to a land that had never heard the message of Christ before. The story continues and his writings are full of profound insights, theology, prayers, and confessions that challenge and inspire me deeply. I have included a hymn written by Patrick back around 430 AD. Yet, very few Christians (especially Protestants) know his story. Often we neglect to appreciate the deep and rich history of our faith and to admire courageous men like Patrick for their example, commitment to Christ, and ministry. One of the aspects I most admire and appreciate about serving here at ACP is the deep respect, understanding and appreciation our community has for multiple traditions and denominations within Christianity. I am reminded again that we have much to learn and celebrate from the rich and diverse history of our faith.