A Note From Dean; “Let Every Tongue Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!”

Dear Friends in Christ, 

The lectionary passage assigned for today is the wonderful Philippians 2:5-11. It begins, “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” The “mind” Paul hopes to evoke is a faith held in trust together. It is the faith that prompts Paul, even in prison and facing possible execution, to express what has been called “a joy wider than the world.”  

Yes, there were tensions in the church at Philippi as today in every congregation; interpersonal and institutional distractions from life in Christ. Paul the pastor knows them well.  

But he is speaking to his beloved church at a level deep than all their contentions and uncertainties. For underneath the struggles of the moment, and beyond the threats of the times, the Apostle says there is encouragement in Christ, there is consolation in love, there is sharing in the Spirit – all in abundance.  

Western has these spiritual resources beyond measure. They are more to be valued than silver and gold, real estate or investments. Let’s keep that “in mind” as we grow in faith as the Body of Christ.  

Grace and peace, 

Dean 

I look forward to our Palm Sunday procession on Sunday, and I hope you might also attend the 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service on the 28th hosted by our sister congregation, New York Avenue Presbyterian Church at 1313 New York Avenue, NW.