What is Lent?
“Lent” is mostly known in our culture as a time to give up something good; however, it’s really far more meaningful and life-giving than that! Originally, it was a time for adults to prepare for Baptism at the Easter (Eve) Vigil service. After adult baptism became rare in the church, Lent still offered Christians the occasion to re-orient themselves in their baptismal identity. At heart, Lent is about seeing that we need forgiveness, and that God forgives us. For Lutherans in particular, Lent isn’t a season of sacrifice, but rather, a gift of time by which God re orients us: from selfcentered, insecure people into forgiven, other-centered people.
Fastnacht, Tuesday, 3/5, 6:30pm – for adults & children
Fastnacht (the German word for “Mardi Gras”) is a celebration before the somber season of Lent begins the next day. On Tuesday night we eat pancakes & donuts for dinner and then burn last year’s palms from Palm Sunday to make ashes for the next day’s worship service. Please sign up if you can help prepare food, set up or clean up.
Ash Wednesday, 2/14, 12:15 & 7:30pm
As always, ashes are optional. We begin Lent being mindful of our mortality and returning to God’s mercy and grace.
Devotion booklet for adults and youth
2019 Lenten Devotions The Lenten devotionals available for adults is Lasting Hope, published by Augsburg Fortress and will be available on Sunday, 3/3. Each devotion in Lasting
Hope features a reading from the psalms, a quotation to ponder, a reflection and a prayer. Lenten cube devotionals will be available for children and families to journey together through Lent.
You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my
Psalm 51:6-12
secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and glad-ness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Lenten Vespers, Wednesdays 7:30 – 8pm
a brief 30 min worship service