“Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks his disciples in the gospel of Mark. It is a vital question for us, as well. Who do we consider Jesus to be and how does our understanding of Jesus affect our relationship with Him? AND as Psalm 124:8 says “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” What does it mean to live “in the name of Jesus?” Join us on February 25th for fellowship, worship and reflection on living in the name of Jesus.
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday (February 14) and ends on Holy Saturday (March 31). Traditionally, Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.
In the past I have observed a variety of Lenten practices: media-fasting, different prayer and devotional practices, fasting involving food choices or times when I eat, pray or study, times of silence during the day. Some have been helpful and have led me into a deeper relationship with God and with God’s people. Others I have found were interesting to try, but when Lent was done, I was glad to see my practice end. A few years ago I came across a list on the Sojourners website. It was written by Nadia Bolz- Weber, Pastor at House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, Colorado and after some thought, I adapted it to include some ideas of my own. It includes a variety of spiritual practices with which to experiment: different ways of praying, versions of fasting and meditation, ways to practice service and connection with others and with God. I encourage you to follow it and to discern how you can improve your relationship with God and with God’s people. I will.
Join us on Sunday – February 18, 2018 – as we begin the season of Lent together. Lent is a time to do something that can help us to be the people we were created to be; a time to do something different: to adopt a new habit, to give up something harmful, to tryout a spiritual discipline for a fixed period of time. Pastor Krista will preach a sermon based on Luke 4: 1-13 called “In the Wilderness: 40 days to Change the World.”
This Sunday, February 11th, is Transfiguration Sunday – a day to marvel at the glory of Jesus and then discover how we can be a part of the work of Jesus! Pastor Krista’s sermon is based on the scripture texts from 2 Kings 2: 1-12 and Mark 9:2-9 and is entitled “Shine, Jesus, Shine.” Join us!
Extra points if you can guess our closing hymn.
