Lent Begins on Ash Wednesday

February 18th 

On Ash Wednesday, after we have made our penitential confession for our past and present failings and affirmed our desire to begin again, we are often challenged to embrace a new disciple for life. Sometimes it is to give up something for Lent, and other times, it is to take on something new. Lent is a reflective time for self-examination, prayer, self restraint and service which focuses on ourselves. These are all traditional Lenten practices, but they may keep us from seeing God and the outpouring of his abundant love. Instead, our Lenten pilgrimage may be all about doing works to appease God, rather than our faith in all that God does for us.

The Apostle Paul understood this dilemma and underscores that message in his Letter to the Romans. The Apostle hadn’t yet traveled to Rome, but he heard of a small Christian church gathering in the imperial capital city. It was a church that consisted of Jews and Gentiles worshiping together. They too were wrestling with what works they had to do for God or were they to trust in what God was doing for them. Paul believed that with proper encouragement this church could be a model for the Roman Empire. So, he wrote to them laying out the foundational beliefs of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Throughout the season of Lent, we will meditate on the words Paul found in the Book of Romans. A daily devotional book, Love Outpoured, will be available at church for you to read and study some of Paul’s most important writings. Wednesday Lenten worship services will focus on these writings. In addition, as preparation for the spring trip to Norway and Sweden, we will be introduced to the early missionaries who brought Christianity to Scandinavia. Like the Apostle Paul, they faced challenges, mistrust, persecution and martyrdom.

Join us for this Lenten journey from Rome to Scandinavia.

Peace, Pastor Arden Haug