February 27th, 2026 | Rev. Dr. Mark Charles

A very close friend of mine had an accident recently that resulted in a serious spinal injury. After initial surgery and care in a local hospital, she was recently transported to one of our local rehabs in Jacksonville. Yesterday, I managed to squeeze in a quick visit with her to see how things are. Her progress is slow and frustrating, and she is aware of the very long road she has to recovery.

In our conversation, she told me that she has known the closeness of God at every point, and that she knows and believes that God will remain with her and sustain her through the journey that’s ahead. She then told me how when she arrived at the rehab, the nurse that came in to welcome and help her settle in was called Grace - another sign to my friend that God will be with her in this journey.

We are now ten days into Lent - our annual season of intentional devotion in which our hearts and minds are turned anew towards God. The purpose of the intentional disciplines and devotionals in the Lenten season is to turn our attention to God in such a way that we become attuned to the closeness of God’s presence with us, the vastness of God’s love for us, and the depths of God’s grace that surrounds us always.

This is why we put so much effort into making sure there are extra opportunities to gather, grow, and serve at this time of year. Between our reading plan that’s taking us through Luke’s gospel, the weekly ecumenical service, our weekly Lenten meal and study, and the online bible study that’s happening with our friends from Riverside Park and First UMC, Jupiter, on Thursday nights, there is something for us all to join in on during Lent. I hope and pray that you will take the opportunity to join in on one or some of these opportunities, and that together we will all grow in grace.

Blessings

Pastor Charlie