Return to the Lord your God, who is merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.]
Joel 2:13
Recalling the forty days during which Christ spent in the wilderness, our Lenten journey begins with a call to repentance and to resist temptation. In order that we may strive to do this, I invite everyone to begin our Lenten journey together, focusing on three aspects of faith, in order to prepare ourselves to receive God’s amazing grace at Easter.
FOCUS ON WORSHIP – The season of Lent is a good time to center ourselves and our families in the rich traditions of the church. Gathered with God’s people on Sundays and again during Wednesday vespers, we renew our commitment to offer God our thanks and praise, hear his Word through sermon and song, and receive his forgiveness and grace. During Lent, the lessons each Sunday bring to mind our human struggle in light of the faithful example of Christ Jesus. Tied to the Exodus journey of the Hebrews, the lessons of Lent remind the Church of God’s faithful deliverance from the captivity of sin.
If you are reading this and haven’t been to worship in a while, or you feel your participation isn’t as regular as it could be, I invite you to worship on Sunday morning where you will be welcomed warmly. Now is the opportune time. Now is the time to enjoy the fellowship of our congregation as we make this Lenten pilgrimage together.
FOCUS ON SCRIPTURE – In the early church, Lent was a time for instruction in the basic truths of the Christian faith. Commitment to daily reading the Bible is a central part of one’s faith formation. In order to live lives of faith and be followers of Christ
Jesus, one must continue to learn of the mighty acts of God and the history of our salvation. So many Christians do not take advantage of Sunday School and Bible study, thus my question for them is, from where are you learning the elements of the Christian faith? Where are you learning about your faith if not from the Church? While worship is meant to praise and glorify God, Christian education is where faith is developed with sound teaching. In order to make the connections between faith and life
through worship, one must continue to grow by reading and studying God’s Word in community with others. It is my prayer that everyone will make a point to study scripture each day, and participate in Sunday school or Bible study.
FOCUS ON PRAYER – Prayer is our personal and intimate communication with God. Given this reality, let me ask a question; How is your prayer life? Living in such a fast paced world, we often forget to slow down and enjoy conversation with our loving God. Yet God is always with us, always walking by our side, leading us to the good gifts of his kingdom. Lent is a good time to remember to slow down, be still and listen to the voice of God. All too often, people are prompted to pray only when facing crisis. omehow knowing that God is listening during such times brings comfort to weary souls. But what about the rest of your life? Do you live a “life of prayers,” only praying when you need something? Or do you live a “life of prayer,” continually speaking with God through conversations of the heart?
These three disciplines of Lent are not meant to be a burden; they are meant to be a source of joy and inspiration. These practices of faith will cause you to grow as a follower of Christ Jesus, grow in faith, and grow as one called out to serve those whom God places within your midst. There is no greater joy than living the life of a faithful disciple of Christ and realizing the gift of God’s amazing grace through the gift of his Son Jesus.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
