From Pastor Rod - From March 2019 Newsletter

As we head into the season of Lent, we as Presbyterians may be a bit unsure of what to do with this time.  Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar.  Lent should be used as a season of reflection and preparation before the celebration of the Resurrection at Easter.  By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.

The following prayer might be helpful as you begin to reflect on Lent this season:

A Prayer for the Beginning of Lent

Today we sit

between the season of light

and the season of darkness.

Today we revel

in the beauty of new life

and await the darkness that comes from death.

The season of Lent

will greet us this week

and walk with us towards the cross.

The lengthening days remind us

to keep reaching for the light

and trusting the glimpses of new life.

Help us to settle into the darkness

so we can see your light breaking through.

Teach us to open our eyes to suffering

so our hands can be instruments of healing.

Be with us in the breaking of our hearts

so we can find joy in you once again.

Create space in us to feel your presence

and to listen to your words.

Create space in our homes

to see all we do as worship.

Create space in our churches

to welcome the stranger and outcast as friends.

This season we will walk in darkness

trusting the light’s presence.

When we hear words about prayer and repentance and service

may they seep into our minds and hearts

and call us to a new way of being.

This is Lent –

darkness leaning towards light,

suffering turning to healing,

uncertainty coming to peace,

death bringing life.

Amen.           

God’s blessings,

Rod