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From the Pastor’s Pen         

March, 2026  ‘The Season of Lent’

There is nothing in the Bible that says we have to practice or participate in a time of Lent.  But, just as we celebrate Christmas and Easter, it makes sense that we take time each year to contemplate what Jesus must have gone through as he approached what he knew would be a difficult time in his life. What would it be like if you knew how you were going to die? If you knew that one of your closest friends would betray you to the authorities? If you knew that the religious leadership of your community was going to try to falsely frame you for a crime you didn’t commit? 

As followers of Jesus Christ, we will never completely understand what Jesus had to go though on the cross.  He suffered total separation from his heavenly Father as he took on the punishment for the sins of he world.  This separation, isolation and suffering caused him to cry out “My God, my God, why hast though forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46b; Psalm 22:1a)

Perhaps during this time of Lent we can ask God what it is he may be saying to us about appreciating what Jesus did in coming to the world to save us. Maybe we are going through our own fiery trial right now. Jesus being fully human can identify with each of our individual situations.

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the  Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:14-16NLT

Maybe during the next forty days we call Lent, you can listen for God’s still small voice.  What is God saying to you about your calling in life, your spiritual life, where you can improve your walk with God, what behaviors you are doing that could be pruned off like dead branches. Here’s a song by Michael Card called ‘Will You Not Listen’ that talks about taking some time to listen to God: https://share.google/jM1jUX4ACbiXcUARm

I look forward to seeing what God will do in my own life during this Lenten season.  I also look forward to hearing about what God will do in your life, in the life of your family, and in the life of our Church. Let’s be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as we contemplate Jesus’ journey to the cross. By participating in Lenten disciplines, such as prayer, fasting, meditating on scripture, doing daily devotions and attending church and community ecumenical services, I believe Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday will take on a much greater meaning to us.

 Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Dwayne