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Years ago, I had a few occasions to attend services here before becoming your pastor. One of those occasions was Holy Week at the daily, noon hour, services. I really enjoyed those; it’s so rare to be a pastor and simply attend a worship service, rather than lead. The services those years I attended, 2015 and 2016, stand out in my mind as particularly soul-inspiring.
I share that anecdote as a way of inviting us into the Lenten season. Together, we will have times for special services to mark the occasion; setting the tone for our life together. It’s easy during Lent to stay busy, giving attention to the norms, and miss the sacredness of the season. I know for me, I can get so busy leading the church in experiencing Lent that I fail to experience it myself!
And what do I mean by experience? A few things:
- To take on additional spiritual disciplines; a mark of our faith and a sign of our appreciation for what Jesus did for us.
- To give up something or what is also known as keeping a fast; a sign of our reliance upon God for all things and an invitation to pray when we crave what we have given up.
- To attend these special services, bookending the Lenten season, as well as church every Sunday during Lent.
During those forty days (if you’re counting, note that we don’t count Sundays when counting forty days during Lent!), life will still happen. We will attend the Cherry Blossom Festival and celebrate this great city. Our children and grandchildren will have spring breaks and we will take trips as a part of that. School and work will make their usual demands. Life will not cease because it happens to be Lent.
But we, together, can hit the pause button daily, engaging in spiritual discipline, giving something up, and attending worship services throughout the season. Let’s together keep a Holy Lent.
Peace,
Ted
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