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Welcome to Lent

By Vicar Lisa

I didn’t grow up with the tradition of Ash Wednesday or Lent so this approaching season will be a time of great education for me. As you will see, I will be trying to do a little church traditional instruction during this season as I know many of you are in the same boat.

As a child, the celebration was all about Easter – Christ has risen, Alleluia! Not much focus on what came before. There was no Ash Wednesday or Maundy Thursday or Good Friday in my background. Certainly, no Lenten soup suppers or giving something up for Lent. I was basically clueless of these traditions.

On one time, my cluelessness resulted in some embarrassment in an episode that occurred with my soon-to-be in laws. I was traveling on business up to Wilmington, Delaware. At the time, I was somewhat geographically challenged, and thinking that Wilkes-Barre was close to Philadelphia, and Philadelphia is right next to Wilmington, I suggested that my family-to-be meet me at a lovely Italian restaurant my coworkers had introduced me to in Little Italy, an Italian community in Wilmington. I was somewhat chagrinned to learn that they drove well over 2 hours to meet with me for this dinner.

But that wasn’t the embarrassing part. The really embarrassing part was when I offered to get a bottle of wine for our dinner. They looked at me and then painfully at each other, then quietly told me that they had given up alcohol for Lent.

You need to know that I had always felt somewhat like a heathen every time I worshiped with my soon-to-be Catholic in laws despite the fact that I was very well churched, just in a different denomination. However, in the Catholic church, there were too many books and pamphlets and I never knew what to read or sing or when to sit or stand or kneel. And so, yet again, I felt like a total heathen. All was forgiven, but I still remember that feeling of being a real dunce when it came to religious traditions. Hence, the education I will combine with the season.

As I now know, Easter is, of course, the highest holy day of the Christian faith, but to celebrate in a vacuum, without immersion in all that comes before the resurrection robs the day of its true significance. Lent can be a hard sell to many worshipers with its intentional solemnity and the encouragement toward self-denial. Others find it to be the most meaningful time of the year. A time where we are honest with ourselves and wrestle with the hard things of life. Join me as we walk with Jesus through the darkest days of his life. And if you have questions, ask. You may not be the only one wondering!

Feb. 22, Ash Wednesday Service

Service will begin at 7 p.m. following the Lenten Soup Supper at 6 p.m. The service will not be Zoomed. Note: Please watch your step in the parking lot! We may still have some icy spots.

Sunday Feb. 26, First Sunday in Lent

Adult Education: At Sunday School at 8:30 am, we have been studying Luther’s Small Catechism. If you are new to the Lutheran faith, considering membership or baptism, or just want a refresher study, please consider joining us. You can also join us via Zoom: 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82340581969?pwd=V0E5UWNzYXFWK3NoNEUxcmR3SW9KZz09

Meeting ID: 823 4058 1969, Passcode: 938515, Dial by your location, 1 719 359 4580 US

10 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion 

Please join us, either in person OR via ZOOM ('hybrid' worship). If you will be worshiping via Zoom, log on or call in using these links: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85889977831?pwd=Z1hXUlBCdUlrQkhFOENKMWIzaG1tUT09

Meeting ID: 858 8997 7831, Passcode: 538710, +1 719 359 4580 US

ZOOM Attendees please note: Zoom services for the 10 a.m. worship will be discontinued beginning in March. Please plan on attending in person when possible. We will arrange for Zoom services for severe weather events as well as for Bible study as noted. For bad weather events, notices with a Zoom link will be sent out on the Saturday before. Thank you for your understanding.

Announcements:

Lent is Here: Lenten Sunday worship services continues Feb. 26, March 5, 12, 19, and 26. Palm Sunday is April 2 and Good Friday is April 7.  The Lenten season ends Saturday, April 8. Easter Sunday is April 9.

Throughout Lent, we will share Lenten Soup suppers Wednesday nights at 6 pm, beginning Ash Wednesday. Norine Hazen is coordinating these meals, please let her know if you can provide soup or bread.  The suppers include delicious food, great fellowship, and a brief devotional.

Women’s Bible Study: Women's Bible Study will resume at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 17 in the Fellowship Hall Blue Room (downstairs) and will meet every other Friday. Please direct questions to Carol Smith.

Wine and Art: Paula Little will reprise her popular Wine & Art event, so plan now to join in, March 4, 1 to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome, no talent required!

5 Loaves Help Wanted: We will make 5 Loaves deliveries Saturday, if you can help, please let Jo Moss, Norine Hazen, or Peggy Gustafson know.

Flower Guild: The Flower Chart has been replaced by the Flower Book, located in the back of the sanctuary.Sign up and use the envelopes in the book for your flower donation, which can be placed in the offering plate. Recommended minimum donation is $35.

Earthquake Relief: On Feb. 6 powerful earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria, leaving thousands dead. Lutheran Disaster Response is helping those affected. Donations are welcome and you can donate, using this QR code.

E-formation – First Sunday in Lent

Each year, Lent begins with a synoptic account of the temptation of Jesus. Jesus was truly human, suffering from the devil’s temptations no less than we, and so he can stand by us when we are tempted. We too conquer evil with the power of God’s word: and that word for us is embodied in Christ. In worship, we hear that word and eat the food of God.

Matthew 4:1-11

We begin our Christian life with baptism and then, like Jesus, face temptations. Each temptation as described in Matthew has symbolic meaning for us: we are tempted to survive apart from the food from comes from God, to assume that God will miraculously protect us, and to worship the world instead of God. God’s Word protects us, and angels attend us.

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

Jesus withstood temptation, but we do not. Genesis 2–3 provides a foil to the gospel by presenting its opposite. This ancient tale of the origins of human suffering has much wisdom to offer. Although we do not encounter talking serpents, we do disobey God, and we do eat false foods, and we do invite others to join us in disobedience, and we do know shame and sexual sorrow.

Romans 5:12-19

Paul’s analysis of the Genesis 2–3 story is helpful in our time. Not interested in probing the details of the ancient narrative, Paul uses the story to illumine Christ. The ancient story tells of sin and death, and Christ brings us to grace and life.

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Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785