God's Loving Presence in a Hurting World

No Musings from the Pastor's Desk

First Sunday in Lent

February 22, 2026

Dear friends in Christ,

Yesterday, we began our annual pilgrimage through the season of Lent. For some of us, this may feel like an intolerable burden. For others, it may be a desert time that reminds us of our need of the oasis of God’s refreshing love. And for a few readers, perhaps this yearly invitation to repent brings outright joy.

Wherever you are, I pray that this season brings you the blessings you need.

If you were able, I hope you were able to be in church yesterday—to hear the invitation to a holy Lent, to hear God’s word, to feast on Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, and to be reminded of the gift that is human life. The prayer for the day was lovely:

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

I don’t need to add much to these beautiful and evocative cadences. God loves us. He welcomes our return and urges our repentance.

Maybe this seems irrelevant to the needs of a world that cries out in pain. But it seems to me this is the time—more than ever—for those of us to follow Jesus to clear away the distraction and focus on our Lord and Savior. If we can see ourselves as His beloved, we may have the courage to bear grace and mercy into this struggling world.

A tiny seed can fill soil with life. And that is our calling, to be the growing branches of the vine that is Jesus Christ our Lord.

Yours faithfully,

Scott Gunn

Executive Director, Forward Movement

Reprinted with permission

Join us on Sunday at 10:30 AM or on Facebook at Hopeclinton.

All are welcome!

An Important Message from Our Synod Office

Dear Friends,

We have become aware of possible email spoofing in which messages appear to come from Bishop Hirsch or from others in our office asking to conduct business or request information.

Please know that we will never ask for sensitive information, gift cards, wire transfers, or financial transactions by email alone. If you receive a message that seems unusual, urgent, or out of character, do not respond or click any links. Instead, contact our office directly using our regular phone number or official email addresses to verify the request.

If any email seems suspicious (and this goes for any message where you think someone might be impersonating a loved one, your pastor, your boss, etc.), take a look at the actual sender. This often gives you a clue that this is just someone phishing, or sending emails pretending to be someone else.



Thank you for your vigilance and care.

PS from Hope Lutheran:

As many of you may have experienced already, Pastor Eric’s email account was also hacked, as was his phone. He will NEVER ask you for a discussion via email or text and then request that you send gift cards.

Please DO NOT respond!