LENT: Taking Up Faith Practices
from ELCA’s Living Lutheran blog (2/19/2015)
Ash Wednesday (March 1, 2017) marks the beginning of Lent, a season when God calls us to reflect on the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection. The imposition of ashes – when you receive ashes in the sign of the cross on your forehead – sets the tone for Lent. Each moment you encounter your reflection, your ashes are a striking reminder that “you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19b). But the cross, a symbol of Jesus’ crucifixion, offers hope.
Similarly, in baptism, you received the sign of the cross on your forehead. Many of us begin our Christian life with baptism, called “to live among God’s faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.” In the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – our parent church), we describe these instructions as faith practices to guide our daily living. But what do faith practices mean? And how do we practice them?
This Lent, as you begin your journey toward the baptismal waters of Easter, we at ELCA invite you to take up faith practices as a spiritual discipline.
Lenten resources…
- Faith Practices in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Living Our Baptismal Covenant – a downloadable resource on faith practices of our church
- Luther Seminary offers a short daily Lenten Devotionals entitled “Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land”
- Several Synods of the ELCA have come to gather to offer a daily Facebook devotional page entitled Lenten Photo a Day
- Gettysburg Seminary will also offer a daily lenten devotional available through their website, Facebook and Instagram.
- The BibleGateway website offers Lenten Devotionals (including 40 Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor martyred during World War II). Select your devotional, provide your email, and receive daily readings.
- Online Ministries of Creighton University also offers a Prayer-A-Day Lenten Devotional.
- Lords Prayer Words: Traditional & Contemporary Prayers.
Lenten Worship Opportunities
In addition to Sunday morning worship at 9:30 a.m., we will gather mid-week during the Lenten season. All are welcome at Christ Lutheran Church. You do not need to be a church member or a Lutheran to receive the sacraments here – follow your heart.
Wednesday Lenten Worship – Ministry in Our Midst:
- During Lent, we will gather mid-week for a simple meal, discussion about ways we can serve and connect in our world today, and a short worship.
- We’ll be joined by visitors representing a variety of local outreach efforts – Advocate Condell Hospital, Safe Families, Refugee One and Love Inc.
- Wednesday Soup Supper/Worship dates: March 8, March 15, March 22, March 29, April 5.
- 6 p.m. Simple Soup Supper (no cost; no reservation needed) and discussion
- 6:30 p.m. Presentation/Discussion
- 7:15 to 7:30 p.m. Evening Prayer
- Come for any and all activities.
- Details provided on the Soup Supper Poster – LentWedSoupSupper2017
Holy Week Worship:
- Palm Sunday, April 9 at 9:30 a.m.
- Maundy Thursday, April 13 at 7 p.m.
- Good Friday, April 14 at 7 p.m.
- Easter Sunday, April 16 at 9:30 a.m. followed by brunch for all.
