Blessings in the Snow

Dear Grace Family,

Last Saturday’s winter storm brought one of those moments that stops you in your tracks. I woke early and looked outside to see a dramatic change in the landscape. A quiet city was wrapped in a blanket of snow. The early morning light caught the untouched ground, and everything sparkled. It was beautiful. I couldn’t resist bundling up and running outside to take a picture of the church, standing there beneath a layer of pristine white.

As I stood there, it struck me as a fitting metaphor for God’s grace. Snow has a way of covering everything, including differences, rough edges, and what is worn or broken, and revealing a new landscape. In much the same way, God’s grace covers us all, saints and sinners alike. Grace does not erase who we are, but it does remind us that we are held, forgiven, and made new.
That same moment also made me deeply grateful for warmth and shelter, and mindful of how many people and animals did not have refuge from the cold. Winter storms have a way of sharpening our awareness of both blessing and vulnerability.

I am thankful for the many ways our community responded with care. Thank you to those who checked in on neighbors, shoveled sidewalks, and shared warm meals. Thank you to those who cleared the church walks, made sure the building was warm and welcoming, and prepared the space so that worship could happen. And thank you to the brave souls who ventured out into the cold to be present in worship. There were only a few of us, but the Spirit was surely in our midst.

I will admit that it was a joy for me to lead worship on guitar and share some of my favorite hymns. It was equally heartening to see so many people join us online. On a Sunday when many churches had to cancel services, it was a gift to worship together, both in person and online, connected by God’s Spirit even across distance and weather.

The snow was a vivid reminder of God’s beauty, both in the transformed landscape of our city and in the warmth shared through hearts joined in worship and hands joined in service. We are truly blessed.

See you in church!
Peace, Love, and Grace,
Pastor Kevin