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Lent is a season of sacrifice. Some may give up chocolate, some may give up beer, and some may even give up ,watching television. I had a friend who one year gave up jogging for Lent. and she didn't even jog! And therein lays the folly of our Lenten sacrifices. Jesus gave up his life and so whatever our sacrifice may be, no matter how much we like what we are giving up, it can never match or come close to what Jesus did for us.

And that is why, in our Lutheran tradition, rather than trying to replicate the sacrifice of Jesus by giving something up, we speak of adding something for six weeks each year: a new discipline, or a new habit that will bring the sacrificial love of Jesus into view. In this congregation, we add mid-week worship. We begin these services on Ash Wednesday, which falls this year on March 5th . Our Service will begin at 6:30 p.m. following our traditional Lenten Supper which begins at 5:30 p.m.

On a very personal note. Lent is not my favorite season of the Church Year. Perhaps it is the weather in Minnesota that brings me down this time of year: it defies the meaning of the Latin word "lent" which translates -"springtime" . But more likely my discomfort with Lent has to do with the discomfort of my sinfulness. Lent is a time to look closely at my life and recognize my desperate need for a Savior. What I see is not pretty. What I feel is shame. What I do know is that I need to be forgiven. And what I believe is that forgiveness is the ultimate result of all that happened in that "springtime." But long ago, when Jesus died on the cross. and turned it into life for all of us. Thanks be to God!
Blessed Lenten Season to you all.
Pastor Jeanne

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