| PASTOR'S MESSAGE |
Dear Members and Friends,
How is your Lenten journey going? Your what? - You ask. Your Lenten journey; how
is your Lenten journey going? We all know about the time leading up to Christmas.
We all know when it is Easter. But, what is the Lenten journey? Clearly, there haven’t
been a lot of commercials regarding Lent. In fact, I haven’t seen any trying to sell me
something relating to Lent. Hallmark hasn’t been advertising Lenten cards or had
hearting-warming commercials. There must not be a market for Lent. We don’t go
around saying ‘Merry Lent’ or ‘Happy Lent’ or have a ‘Blessed Lent.’
Okay, so what’s the big deal about Lent? Thanks for asking. Lent is a season of
preparation. Lent prepares us to remember once again the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
on our behalf. Lent is a time for reflection and for self-examination. The Lenten
journey involves searching our hearts. In what areas are we far from God? Are there
people from whom we need to seek forgiveness? Are there people we need to
forgive? What in our life needs to be made right? Where have we sensed the call to
serve others? Is there a place where the hungry are fed, the poor are clothed, the
homeless housed, the aged cared for, the young attended to, the sick made well?
What is God calling each of us to do? Lent is a time to reflect and act upon such
questions.
The questions are not easy ones. It is no wonder we hear so little about the Lenten
journey on TV or the Internet. Lent is not headline material. Yet, the reality is that if we
venture to travel through Lent, we will experience the Resurrection of Easter in bold,
fresh ways!
May your trail be marked by the love, peace, and grace of God!
Gary L. Elg, Pastor
How is your Lenten journey going? Your what? - You ask. Your Lenten journey; how
is your Lenten journey going? We all know about the time leading up to Christmas.
We all know when it is Easter. But, what is the Lenten journey? Clearly, there haven’t
been a lot of commercials regarding Lent. In fact, I haven’t seen any trying to sell me
something relating to Lent. Hallmark hasn’t been advertising Lenten cards or had
hearting-warming commercials. There must not be a market for Lent. We don’t go
around saying ‘Merry Lent’ or ‘Happy Lent’ or have a ‘Blessed Lent.’
Okay, so what’s the big deal about Lent? Thanks for asking. Lent is a season of
preparation. Lent prepares us to remember once again the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
on our behalf. Lent is a time for reflection and for self-examination. The Lenten
journey involves searching our hearts. In what areas are we far from God? Are there
people from whom we need to seek forgiveness? Are there people we need to
forgive? What in our life needs to be made right? Where have we sensed the call to
serve others? Is there a place where the hungry are fed, the poor are clothed, the
homeless housed, the aged cared for, the young attended to, the sick made well?
What is God calling each of us to do? Lent is a time to reflect and act upon such
questions.
The questions are not easy ones. It is no wonder we hear so little about the Lenten
journey on TV or the Internet. Lent is not headline material. Yet, the reality is that if we
venture to travel through Lent, we will experience the Resurrection of Easter in bold,
fresh ways!
May your trail be marked by the love, peace, and grace of God!
Gary L. Elg, Pastor