In the rhythms of the Christian Church calendar, we are on the doorstep of a special period known as Lent. Lent is a season of spiritual discipline and a time of preparation as we anticipate remembering the death and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the early centuries of the Church, it was determined that a Lenten period of fasting and renewal should correspond to Jesus’s 40-day fast in the wilderness, and, by counting forty days back from Easter — excluding Sundays, which remain “feast” days —  they arrived at the Wednesday seven weeks before Easter. That day is now known as Ash Wednesday. This year, I want to invite you take advantage of several ways we will observe Lent together.

First, plan to attend our Ash Wednesday Worship Service on February 22 at 7:00 pm. Generally a quieter and more contemplative service, it can be a simple but profound time to be reminded of not just the hard realities of death and sin, but the deeper realities of God’s love and grace for us in Jesus Christ.

Finally, whether in person or online, join us for worship each Sunday during Lent as we engage in our new series, “Jesus Questions.” When Jesus asks questions, he isn’t being evasive but is actually working for our good. The questions are invitations to see and understand differently both Jesus and ourselves. As he did others, we will hear Jesus ask us, “Who do you say that I am?” “Do you want to get well?” “What do you want me to do for you?” And more. I am praying for God’s Spirit to work in the answers we give, both individually and as a congregation.