I suppose that I am becoming an old fuddy-duddy, remember the good old days.   But something good happened in those days.  I remember being part of the community of faith that came together, that worshipped together, that found itself at the foot of the cross, that found itself listening to and being part of the Passion Narrative each year.  There was no question that we would be there.  We did chores a little early.  We ate dinner a little quicker, we made the trek to church, and we still had to do our homework when we came home. 

     I wonder what Lent is like for you. 

     Lent is to be a time of strengthening the faith, of learning, of paying particular attention to the Word of God, of taking up the cross and following Jesus, of taking up a new ministry concern and making it a part of your life.  Lent is a time of giving up one’s selfish desires and paying particular attention to that which is holy, that points to God, that keeps us in the community of faith and acting out the faith in the world by doing deeds of love and mercy.

      This year’s series for Wednesdays will be entitled “THIS I BELIEVE”.  In the setting of worship we will also explore what it is that we believe as Lutherans.  WE will look at What is the Gospel and Grace, What does it mean to believe in God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and How do we participate in the Gospel.  We will look forward to the festival of the Resurrection, when God proclaims loudly and boldly that death is not final, that the grave is not the end, that everything that the world tries to dish out and splatter us may not be comfortable, and indeed may be painful, but that the promise of the Gospel, of Jesus is that he is always with us.

      Lent is that time when we focus our attention on what God does so that we might trust God and His Word even more.

                                                  

                                                  See you in church.

                                                        Pastor Bob