From the Pastor

                            

Message for Lent 2024

     Wednesday, February 14, is not only Valentines Day, it is Ash Wednesday, the 1st day in Lent. On this day it is a tradition, in the Christian Church, to receive ashes as a sign of self denial and discipline in the days leading up to Easter. Lent is meant to be a period of fasting, moderation, and self denial to prepare the human spirit for what is to come. Lent is meant to commemorate the 40 days that Christ spent in the wilderness following His baptism by John in the River Jordan. There are actually 46 calendar days but Sundays are not counted.

     During this time period, we are supposed to repent of sinful habits and deny ourselves to show self discipline. There is no place in scripture that requires any of this but over the centuries, it has become an important ritual. We are supposed to remind ourselves of the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of humanity when He was brutally tortured, nailed to the cross, and died there for our sins. His triumphal resurrection proved that God had showed us that death was not permanent, and redemption was a promise for all who believe.

     Take the time this Lenten season to pray, read scripture, and meditate on the purpose for this glorious season. Come and celebrate with us this coming month, and join us on Easter morning as we celebrate Jesus Christ’s victory over death.

-Pastor Ken