February 2008

Greeting in the name of Christ,

            In February we will enter the season of Lent. It is a special time for fasting and prayer. The fast is a time to set aside our needs to listen to the voice of God in our lives. Every Lenten season, we examine our lives to take an assessment of our current situation: am I happy; is something holding me back from being a complete or whole person; is family life satisfactory; do I get enjoyment out of my work? The church has traditionally offered three life-long disciplines (tools) to help us examine our lives – Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. Prayer is communicating with God. Fasting is self-denial, self-control, and simple living. Almsgiving is basically Stewardship, giving our money, abilities, and time to out church. These “tools of transformation” are exercises to help work our lives into shape. Transforming our lives is the goal of this Lenten journey.

            At the transformation, Jesus is also transformed, for the journey to Jerusalem, where his life will change on a Friday afternoon on a hill and then three days later on a Sunday morning at an empty tomb. Because of His transformation, we too share in this transformation from death to new life.

            We ask God to help us journey closer to Him each day. We pray for our families. We ask that the Lord will bring peace and healing for the hurts of the past. We ask God to help us to be good examples for those around us and especially for our youth.

            Pray and fast with sincere hearts. Pray for our hurts and our healing. When we repent we will share in the Glory and ever-lasting Joy of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

            May God continue to bless you and yours.

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Sharon and Fred