Join one of the remaining Lenten Worship and Lunch events on Thursdays during the season of Lent.  Worship will begin at noon with a short message by one of the pastors of the host church followed by lunch. 

March 7

First Christian (Rev. Dr. Mark Benson)

March 14

St. Paul's Episcopal (Rev. Austin McGehee)

March 21

St. Patrick Catholic (Father Augustine Palimattam)

Since last Wednesday, we’ve been in the season of Lent which lasts for 40 days, not including Sundays, before we arrive at Easter Sunday.  Though it is often thought of as a time to “give up” something, it may be more helpful to think of Lent as a time to take up something.  We can be intentional about taking on practices, and consequently, opening more to God’s grace.

In Judith Guest’s novel, Ordinary People, one character is a middle-aged man going through a classic mid-life crisis.  Confused and adrift, every time he overhears a conversation in an elevator or a restaurant that begins “Now I’m the kind of man who...” he tunes in, hoping to learn some wisdom.  But he never does, and finally admits, “I’m the kind of man who...hasn’t got the foggiest idea what kind of man I am.”

But Jesus knew who he was.  He knew what kind of person he was.  This came to light in his temptations in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13).  He was one who knew that life was more than bread alone, one who worshiped the Lord and served only God, one who did not put the Lord to the test.  How did he have the moral courage to answer the temptations in the wilderness?  Because holy words and God’s ways were engraved on his heart:  “It is written...it is written...it is written….

These 40 days invite us to consider repentance, fellowship, prayer, fasting, Scripture, meditation, acts of piety, acts of justice, and more.

May we find blessing in the wilderness of Lent! 

Rick