I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith.

Philippians 3:8-9

I am writing late Wednesday evening, having just come home from church where we had Ash Wednesday services. I don’t often have such a profound feeling about church as this, but there was a genuine sense of renewal – dare I say revival – in the spirit of the congregation.

Ash Wednesday! I know, it’s not typically the kind of worship service that brings together all the chills. But there was something there, something going on, something authentic and deeply spiritual, and it touched my soul unmistakably.

First, while HMPC is the smallest congregation Rebekah has served this was likely the largest Ash Wednesday attendance we have experienced in 40 years. That’s right, instead of a crowd that’s 25% of a typical worship service, this time church pretty much looked like a Sunday morning.

And young families too. There were all kinds of children in church Wednesday evening, and they participated; hesitant yet at the same time all-in.

We started the evening in the fellowship hall, where we enjoyed a delicious pancake and sausage dinner put on by the men of the church. They did a great job.

Apparently there is always a good crowd of folk all on board for the pancake dinner, and then people go home. But not this time. This time just about everybody made their way into the sanctuary and then some others came in just for the service.

Solemnity and Joy:

In worship, there was this interesting amalgam of solemnity and joy; the presence of God was palpable. The beginning of Lent is this entryway into six weeks of reflection and meditation - it is an invitation to take stock. The trite “I’m giving up chocolate for Lent” or “I’m cutting back on my drinking until Easter” doesn’t begin to grasp what is possible when we take God more seriously, and when we focus on what Paul refers to as “Gaining Christ” with more intention.

Maybe that is what was going on during Ash Wednesday services here with the Tarboro Presbyterians? Maybe there is this dawning understanding that – especially in the context of the transitional interim pastor period, “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, (we) press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Yes, renewal; even revival; absolutely refreshment and blessing and peace: “I regard all things as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ…” – DEREK