And so, the holy and beautiful season of Lent begins! Yesterday, our two Ash Wednesday services were well-attended and my sense is that those who came appreciated not only receiving ashes, but perhaps even more so, gathering as a community around the altar to receive real bread and wine for the first time in quite awhile. I know our four-year-old granddaughter Emerson enjoyed baking the communion bread with her Nana Pat.
This coming first Sunday in Lent we will likewise be returning to our customary communion practices for those who so wish to participate, and we will be adding some more music to the service as well. You can view the bulletin at the link above. I hope to see you there.
This is also a reminder that I will be away on vacation from March 6-13. Pastor George Koch will be presiding and preaching on the Second Sunday of Lent. During my absence, please call Mark in the Church Office with any pastoral emergencies and he will connect you with someone.
Finally, once I return, I will be offering a mid-week Lenten prayer service on Wednesdays at 12:30 pm beginning on March 16. The simple service will consist of a short reading from Scripture, a meditation, and some prayers, and will last no longer than 20 minutes. It will be live-streamed and available to be viewed at any time thereafter on our Youtube channel and Facebook page. People are also invited to attend the prayer service in person (in the chapel) if they so wish.
May God bless you and keep you this day and always,
Pastor Luther