Pastor Dan - March 2022
March 2nd is Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of a special season in the Church. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Lent is an intentional time given to us to spend devoted to considering the life-giving relationship with the Risen Lord as we journey to Jerusalem and to the cross as God’s people. (This year it is March 2 – April 16. We speak of 40 days of Lent PLUS the Sunday’s which are always Resurrection Celebrations.) To make this time special and to help us focus on our own relationship with the Lord, many people will give up, or sacrifice” some routine or “craving” (such as chocolate) to help us enter a mindset in which we consider our personal relationship with Christ Jesus.
May I share with you some of my own personal observations and insights as these thoughts swirl around my mind. I have walked a Lenten path in which I gave something up as a “tradition”. I have also walked a Lenten path in which I did not practice the tradition of giving something up. I have learned, in my case, that when I give something up it opens avenues for a more profound and meaningful walk. When I desire and crave for the “thing” I have given up, it is a powerful reminder of the season as I am joining many around the world as walking together Lenten walk. It is a reminder that I do not journey alone, not just in the season of Lent, but through the journey of life. It is a reminder of the discipline of the Lord Jesus to sacrifice Godhood and give of Himself on the cross. In these moments of thoughtfulness, my faith is strengthened.
This month of March, we will walk the entire month on the Lenten path. It is a great opportunity to strengthen your faith life and to strengthen the faith of the Church. You don’t have to give up anything or you may choose to give something up as we walk together. There are many other opportunities during Lent to consider your relationship with the Lord. We will have Sunday worship focused on the journey. We will have mid-week Lenten offerings to help shape the walk in Lent. (See the article in this newsletter.) We will have a Holy Week which will focus on the Lord’s activity in the world and in our lives as the Lord walks with us. There are devotions on-line to help. Find one that speaks to you. Take advantage of the intentional time given to you and to all as we walk through Lent.
I do pray that the love and grace of our Lord is experience in new and profound ways through the month of March. And as April rolls around and we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, that you experience the power of resurrection and life in Christ in new, holy, divine and powerful ways.
In Christ’s Love and Service,
Pastor Dan