A Personal Letter for the Lenten Season

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ;

Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, through our Lord, Jesus Christ!

The Lenten Season is now in full swing, and very soon we will be celebrating the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), followed by the triduum of Holy Week (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday), culminating with Resurrection Sunday. The Lenten Season is a very poignant time for the church because we commemorate the suffering and anguish that Jesus endured for us on his way to the cross.

Lent is not only an uncomfortable time as we read scriptures having to do with Jesus’ suffering and anguish, but it is also a time filled with hope and promise as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the tomb!

Hardship comes in many forms. Some people endure financial hardships, while others have health-related challenges. Others still go through difficulties in relationships. The journey from Ash Wednesday to Calvary’s Cross and the Empty Tomb stands to remind us that we are most assuredly never alone in times of distress and hardship. We have the promise of our Heavenly Father who tells us “Fear Not, for I am with you… Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” Not being dismayed means staying balanced.

At this time of the year, we need to look at Jesus and see him as the one who endured the punishment and hardship caused by our sins. One of my favorite hymns for Holy Week declares “Man of Sorrows, what a name/ For the Son of God who came/ ruined sinners to reclaim/ Hallelujah! What a Savior!// Bearing shame and scoffing rude/ In my place condemned He stood/ Sealed my pardon with HIS blood/ Hallelujah! What a Savior!”

During Holy Week we will gather to celebrate Maundy Thursday (commemorating Jesus’ washing the feet of his disciples), Good Friday (remembering HIS death, burial and resurrection), and Holy Saturday (a quiet service of contemplation and processing). I sincerely hope that you will mark your calendars and participate in these special services, as they lead up to the promise that dawned on that first Easter… Dying, HE destroyed death, and Rising Again HE gave us the victory over sin, death, hell and the grave.

I am very excited (can you tell?) to be sharing in this special time in the church year with each of you. The Promise of Easter is that we have the Blessed Hope of everlasting life with Christ Jesus.

I Bid You Peace,

Pastor Ken+