Post date: Feb 19, 2013 6:08:48 PM
The seasons in the church year, much like the seasons in life, seem to fly by. It seems like it was last week that we were waiting for Christmas during the Season of Advent. And if Advent felt like it was last week, then Christmas feels like yesterday. And yet here we are, quickly approaching Lent.
Lent begins this year with Ash Wednesday on February 13. This season was originally a season of preparation for those getting ready to be baptized at an Easter Vigil service the night before Easter. Over the years, the meaning of Lent has varied widely. Here at Bethel, Lent is a time when we gather more frequently as the people of God. Each Wednesday throughout Lent, I encourage you to participate in midweek opportunities.
At noon, the Lutherans and Episcopalians in the area are hosting midweek worship in the chapel at First Lutheran church. This year these 30 minute worship services give us the chance to focus on the importance of the cross, using key phrases from the hymn "Beneath the Cross of Jesus." I want to challenge you to take a half hour break in the midst of your day on Wednesdays during Lent. If you have a lunch break at work, consider spending it worshiping God.
Each Wednesday evening we will gather at Bethel for a meal, education opportunity, and worship. Beginning at 6 p.m. we will eat great food prepared either by Sandy's Bakery or by all of us as a pot luck. Then shortly thereafter we will begin to think about the purpose of church, and what its goals and hopes and dreams should be. To focus our discussion we will watch clips from Moneyball, a movie starring Brad Pitt based on a bestselling book of the same title written by Michael Lewis. I hope that these conversations will draw us closer to God and bring us together as a faith community.
One last thing that I am particularly excited about this Lent are the special worship services that occur on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. One comment that I often hear when we do joint things together as Lutherans in the area is lamenting that these events are never held at Bethel. This Ash Wednesday, February 13, the four Jamestown Lutheran congregations will be holding one joint worship service at Bethel at 7 p.m. Pastor Dan Nagle and I are putting worship together along with the musical leadership of Bethel. Members of the choirs from all four congregations are being asked to participate. I encourage you to come begin Lent by worshiping on Wednesday, February 13.
And here's the rest of the story. On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday we are going to do the same thing. On Maundy Thursday, March 28, worship will be at Immanuel at 7 p.m. On Good Friday, March 29, worship will be at Holy Trinity at 7 p.m. To me, it's important that we fully participate in all three of these services--Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. If we expect those from the other congregations to come to Bethel, then we need to reciprocate, attending the joint worship services held at Immanuel and Holy Trinity. All three services are planned and hosted for you to worship our God, which is the most important thing that we do, both during Lent and throughout the year.
I look forward to walking through Lent as a faith community this year. My goal is that this season might prepare you to more fully celebrate the resurrection of Jesus in your life each and every day, and propel us towards a most festive Easter Sunday on March 31.
Your partner in Christ,
Pastor Adam