Dear Peace members and friends,
On Ash Wednesday we began the season of Lent. Many see this season in the church as year as a grim, merely-to-be-endured time in the church year and understandably so. Lent begins with ashes on our foreheads, reminding us of life’s limits….and our own. Yet that’s exactly why I also see Lent as an opportunity not to be missed; a time to reflect, to act, to grow and to learn as we make our way to Jerusalem alongside Jesus.
And that opportunity continues this Sunday. In worship (9:30am), we have the traditional reading of the temptations of Jesus. Matthew, Mark, and Luke include this episode in Jesus’ life but only Mark includes the detail that, along with being tempted by Satan, Jesus was “with the wild beasts and angels waited on him.” Wild beasts? Angels? What does this mean?!? On this first Sunday in Lent, we begin with honesty about some of the mysterious, dark trials and temptations of the Christian life and take heart by the way that Jesus strengthens us in our times of testing. I’ll say more about this Gospel and us in a message, “In the Wilderness with the Beasts.”
We’ll also have a children’s message from Pastor Joe and join together in Holy Communion. And we will have the joy of receiving Monte and Evie Anderson, and Kurt and Connie Schumann as our newest members of Peace and welcoming them into ministry with us.
In the Adult Education Hour (10:45am), I’ll present on the topic: “Speaking of Sin.” As it is the first Sunday Lent, we will hear more frequently during this season the word, “sin.” It’s a word that causes discomfort and is often avoided altogether. Why, then, should we speak of sin anymore? Not using the word will not make sin go away, for one. So in this hour, we’ll talk about sin. And my hope is that, by the end of the hour, we’ll find the word “sin” a hopeful, helpful word. That in naming our sins will help us move from guilt to grace and to new life in Jesus Christ. Join in!
Last of all, this year’s congregational Lenten Service Project is with VEAP and Minnesota FoodShare. As a congregation, we are going to concentrate our efforts with those organizations by contributing the most sought-after items: laundry detergent, personal care items, paper towels, and toilet paper. In addition to those most-wanted items, we will collect money for food. VEAP can buy food at a discount getting 7 to 10 times the amount of food we can buy with our dollars. If you wish to give for that effort, you can write a check to “Peace Lutheran Church” with “Food Drive” or “VEAP” on the memo line. Stop by the Service and Mission Table in the narthex for more information or to make a donation. Thank you to all!
See you Sunday!
Mark