Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ!
Today is Ash Wednesday and it marks the beginning of the season of Lent for Christians around the world. On this day, it is traditional to make the sign of the cross on the forehead using ashes. Like the mark made on the newly baptized, these crosses remind us of our connection to Christ. By the grace of God, we are forever linked with the death and resurrection of Jesus. God joins us in times of sorrow and joy renewing and transforming our lives.
Lent is a journey of 40 days and six Sundays that provides a wonderful opportunity for us to refocus on our spiritual lives. Through practices of prayer, studying scripture, worship, and giving, we are able to grow in our faith both as individuals and as a community. To help on this journey, St. James has resources for you:
Lenten Worship.
Check out our Sunday and mid-week options (Click here).
Daily Devotional.
When the Path Gets Rocky: A Lenten Journey of Sorrow and Joy is the title of my latest devotional. I wrote it in response to the many losses that we have been through in this time of pandemic. It seeks to offer comfort and encouragement to hold sorrow alongside joy while trusting in the faithful presence of God. Sign up today and you will receive a daily email throughout Lent.
Lenten Seasonal Offering.
We give not only to support and grow the ministry that we share, but also to cultivate generosity within ourselves. For more information (Click Here).
I look forward to the days that lie ahead and the opportunity that they hold for us to grow as God’s children gathered together in this community known as St. James Lutheran.
In Christ’s Light,
Pastor Walt