Rev. Megan
Berkowitz
Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman
Pastor Megan
March 22, 2024
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
and by night but find no rest.Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our ancestors trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the Lord.
May your hearts live forever!All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.
For dominion belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.” Psalm 22:1-5, 25-28We’ve been following the Gospel of Mark throughout this year, hearing the stories of Jesus’ ministry, miracles, and, this week, trials in Jerusalem. At the end of Mark’s version of the Passion narrative, at about the time you will receive this email on Good Friday, the Gospel recounts Jesus’ final words from the cross: Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani? My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Taken alone, these words encapsulate the desolation of Good Friday. Jesus is alone, mocked, beaten, and tortured nearly to his death. With the last of his strength, he calls out in despair.
But these words were never meant to be heard or read alone. Jesus speaks the first part of the first verse of Psalm 22, inviting those familiar with the scriptures to fill in the rest. Psalm 22 is not a Psalm of lament alone; it ends with the triumph of God over all worldly powers, a triumph that looks like faith and fulfillment for all who are in need. Even to his death, Jesus proclaimed the power of God beyond all human striving. We are called to hold in tension this despair and hope, until the Sun rises on Easter morning.
Peace,
Megan
Past Posts
- From Our Pastors
Rev. Amy Clark Feldman
July 4, 2025 What an amazing mission trip we had to Puerto Rico! God’s light shone so brightly in and through our teens, college kids, and adult chaperones on the trip; and we made many new friends and connections on the island. We can’t wait to share more with you about it. Learn More - From Our PastorsRev. Megan Berkowitz
June 27, 2025 As our regular church year draws to a close, we look towards the summer, when we are usually one Body scattered to many locations. Whether we are traveling, visiting with family, focused on different schedules with children, or simply living at the slower pace of the summer months, we see less of one another. It can seem like church is “off” for the summer as well. Learn More - From Our Pastors: June 6, 2025Rev. Megan Berkowitz
June 6, 2025 It’s very fitting that our Annual Meeting falls on Pentecost this year. As we remember the Holy Spirit filling the early church and moving them into meaningful action, following in the Way of Jesus, we, too, experience the movement of the Spirit in our own church community. Learn More - From Our Pastors : May 30, 2025Rev. Clark Feldman
May 30, 2025 The Psalmist wrote so many centuries ago (or maybe just yesterday), “As the deer pants for water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” It’s such a vivid image – this poor deer panting in thirst and exhaustion. How far has it run over dry and scorched land? What a relief to dip its head towards a cool stream; its thirst quenched. Learn More - From Our PastorsRev. Megan Berkowitz
May 23, 2025 We’re heading into a season of joy, celebration, community, and preparation for the future over the next several weeks, and I wanted to be sure to lay it all out in one place so you can plan and save the dates. This weekend, we’ll celebrate and dedicate our new accessible pews in worship and have the second meeting of the spring New Members class immediately following. Learn More - From Our Pastors: May 16, 2025Rev. Amy Clark Feldman
May 16, 2025 As some of you know, I was away for part of this week at a program for clergy and spiritual directors. Each morning began at 7:45 a.m. with worship; and ended around 9:00 p.m. with worship. Spiritual leaders from around the country each led one of the first five services; with each service focusing on one of the five senses – taste, touch, smell, hearing, sight – knowing that Jesus engaged and experienced all the senses in his very human, embodied, incarnate ministry. Learn More - From Our Pastors: May 9, 2025Rev. Megan Berkowitz
May 9, 2025 I had a lot of interest in the prayer structure I shared during last Sunday’s worship, so I wanted to write it out for you here. If you’re feeling like you’re not sure how to pray or what to say, sometimes a little scaffolding can help get you started. Don’t think that this is the ‘right’ way to pray though — any way to pray that leads you to open your heart to God is the right way! Learn More - From Our Pastors: May 2, 2025Rev. Megan Berkowitz
May 2, 2025 There is very little in the Gospels that tells of Jesus after his resurrection and before his ascension. This period gets 5 weeks in the liturgical calendar, but only one or two stories in each Gospel at most. As Pastor Amy shared in her sermon last Sunday, after the Resurrection, Jesus spends some time eating with his disciples, even sharing a grilled fish breakfast on the beach with them one morning. Learn More
