Here we sit, just three days before Easter – the holiest of Christian holy-days. Lent officially ends today as we head into Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter morning. Were we actually following the full liturgical calendar, we would have started repenting and fasting after a Shrove Tuesday pancake send off. But, we are Baptists with 400 years under our belts of dissenting against fixed religious structures. So, for many of us Lent comes more as a season of refocusing of our spiritual life than one of fasting.
All this to say – today I want to talk about cake (even though it is still Lent). Mostly I want to talk about finding joy in the overflowing abundance of God’s grace in our lives. But, first, cake.
In January of 2025 when our mission team went to the Dominican Republic to serve at the Good Samaritan Hospital, we were served cake every evening for dessert. Not just simple cakes – but fancy cakes from the bakery down the street. Big cakes covered in frosting and full of flavor. We were all happy for this treat, but none more so than our dear sister Nancy Carter who could put away a piece as big as her in no time. Those of you who knew Nancy knew about her love of sweets – and knew how her infections laugh could make the whole room laugh along with her.
As I have been contemplating Easter’s story and its promise of new life, I keep circling back to Nancy and her love of sweets. Easter is a reminder that life itself is so abundant that it broke the bonds death tried to wrap around Jesus. It is a reminder that God’s presence in this world isn’t one of scarcity and judgment, but of abundance and life. For God so loved the world that eternal life has become ours.
Titus 3:4-7 reminds us of this:” But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
So, when we approach God let us do so expecting abundance, not scarcity; cake, not crumbs! When we remember our beloved Fancy Nancy and her love for sweets, may we also remember to take joy in God’s abundant mercy in our lives.
Blessings,
Pastor Amy
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PS – Here is a really tasty cake recipe that my mom shared with me, taken from a cookbook her mom gave her as a wedding present. I’ve shared this cake at coffee hour a few times, but why should you be limited to eating it at just those times?
Applesauce Cake
2 ½ cups all-purpose or cake flour
2 cups sugar
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp salt
¼ tsp baking powder
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground allspice
1 ½ cups applesauce (chunky or smooth)
½ cup water
½ cup oil or melted butter
2 eggs
1 cup raisins
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Beat all ingredients together on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping the bowl as necessary. Beat on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally, for 3 minutes.
Bake in 13×9 pan at 350 for 60-65 minutes.
Broiled Butterscotch Frosting
⅔ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup softened butter
1 cup chopped nuts or shredded coconut (I like sliced walnuts or coconut best)
2 tblsp milk
Mix together and spread over hot cake. Place under hot broiler until frosting bubbles and browns slightly (about 3 minutes).
