Intention

As a Lutheran, and a member of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), and as many other denominations do, today we observe Ash Wednesday.  The worship service we use has an “INVITATION TO LENT.”  I find this interesting every time I read it.  Growing up we never gave up anything for Lent.  As an adult, I thought I should, although I never did.  I’ve let go of that should and followed the “Invitation” more.  You may read it for yourself below; and, as is said in the church often, “inwardly digest it.”  

What I discover in this is that there is more joy, more positive things to do and more of God’s love in Lent than at times I’ve seen or understood. I’ve made some words bold that jump out at me this year in reading and hearing this.  It’s not about giving up but giving more as I see it.  Our 11am service resonates with me in that the theme is “Full to the Brim” and speaks of God’s abundance versus our thoughts of scarcity.  God bless your Lenten journey.

Invitation to Lent

Friends in Christ, today with the whole church we enter the time of remembering Jesus’ passover from death to life, and our life in Christ is renewed.

We begin this holy season by acknowledging our need for repentance and for God’s mercy. We are created to experience joy in communion with God, to love one another, and to live in harmony with creation. But our sinful rebellion separates us from God, our neighbors, and creation, so that we do not enjoy the life our creator intended.

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to a discipline that contends against evil and resists whatever leads us away from love of God and neighbor. I invite you, therefore, to the discipline of Lent—self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, sacrificial giving and works of love—strengthened by the gifts of word and sacrament. Let us continue our journey through these forty days to the great Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection.