Living Lent 2010: from ashes to GLORY

The liturgical year is meant to take a congregation through the life and teachings of Jesus. The liturgical season of Lent invites Christians to “contemplate those mighty acts” of Jesus that reconciled humankind to God.

His death, and resurrection are the high point of the liturgical year. For this congregation, Lent is meant to be a mental, physical and emotional journey with Jesus from ashes to Glory.

Next week our journey begins with ashes and a reminder that we are mortal, sinful and broken without God’s healing and life giving touch.

It has been our custom to spend the forty days of Lent getting in touch with our hunger and need for God in our lives. Parishioners do this through giving things up; like fasting from sweets, giving more time to prayer, making special financial contributions to people in need, through living more simply or learning something that enhances our relationship with God and with our neighbors.

The Adult Formation Committee, the clergy, and the Children’s and Youth Ministry teams have all been working to create opportunities for every parishioner to grow in Christ during Lent. I invite you to check out the web site or read through a Lenten catalog handed out on Sundays. Families, create some practices with your children and youth that fix your attention on Jesus during the forty days. Each of us will benefit from making a prayerful reflective plan as to how we can journey with Christ this Lent.

• The Why Lent? class is offered this Sunday, February 14, at 9:50 and 12 noon, as well as Tuesday after the pancake supper to help parishioners better understand the history of Lent and how Lent can impact their lives spiritually.
• Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 16 is a sugary feast before Lent begins. There will be Pancake Olympics, burying Alleluias, and burning of the palms and imposition of ashes for children and youth to learn about Lent. Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Why Lent? class and Pancake Olympics.
• Ash Wednesday begins our Lenten journey. Eucharist and imposition of ashes are offered at:
  • 7:00 a.m.
  • 12:00 noon
  • 7:00 p.m. (with nursery)

Grace and Peace,
Lisa+