Lent is Fast Approaching

We are soon approaching Lent. Ash Wednesday is on March 6. We have two worship times at Ascension, at 12 noon and 7.30pm. This year I am going to slightly modify the words that go with the imposition of ashes – Remember that you are earth, and to earth you shall return. The season of Lent helps us to be/become better humans. It gets to the foundation of our creation and our faith. The season with its practices invites us to return to what is most important. (In Hebrew – the word ‘repentance’ has the sense of turning back, or being turned back, to God) 

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ing the Stations of the Cross banners on the side walls of our sanctuary. I love the driftwood cross with its place for the lighting of small candles as a sign of prayer. I love the color purple for the paraments and vestments. I love the invitation for the community to gather more often – with two worship opportunities each Wednesday during Lent. The scriptures for both the Sundays and Wednesdays will lead us to contemplate our lives and communities.

There will be extra opportunity for prayer. Some people give up something for Lent, something that might have too much of a hold on their lives. And some take on extra things, practices for Lent. Think and pray ahead of time how you will use this season for growth. Remember that Lent is an old English word for the season of spring. What will help your life to spring up, to bloom? What will help our whole church to bloom? What will help us to be prepared and focused on making our way through Holy Week to Easter again this year?

I pray a blessed Lent for you all.
Pastor Tim.

​P.S. Last year I wrote a lament for each day of Lent. This year I am going to be prayerful for something different each day – praying for our church, for the people of Columbus, for our nation, for the world.