Our Lenten Journey…

“Ash Wednesday leads to Lent… Palm Sunday leads to Maundy Thursday… and Good Friday leads to Resurrection Sunday. Our journey through Lent makes our celebration that much richer. As we identify with the testing and suffering of Jesus, we also identify with his resurrection from the dead. When we are more acutely aware of the dark valley, we are even more grateful for the Good Shepherd who has walked through that valley already. The certainty of Easter’s arrival serves to remind us of the certainty of our own future resurrection. The shroud of death has covered all nations–but it will finally be removed. All people have shed tears… but in that day they will be wiped away. A great banquet will be prepared, and death itself will be swallowed up in victory. And we will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us.” – Jonathan Kay Twitche

This Sunday, a big purple cloth will make its first appearance in our worship space. This cloth is one way we will mark Lent as a distinct season within the year. This cloth is symbolic of the long journey to Jerusalem Jesus makes in Luke’s gospel. He literally “sets his feet” towards Jerusalem, even though he knows the suffering that awaits him there. During Lent, we commit ourselves to being a sympathetic witness, journeying with him and learning from him as we make this pilgrimage.

The Lenten scriptures reveal a common theme running through each week, a theme which intertwines Jesus’ journey with our own. Take time this week to read the scriptures for the first Sunday of Lent. What themes emerge as significant for you? How do they reveal Jesus more clearly to you? What is the invitation God is extended to you as you read them?

Feb. 17th: First Sunday of Lent (Speaker: Anne)
Readings: Deut. 26:1-11, Ps. 91:1-2, 9-16, Romans 10:8-13,Luke 4:1-13