February 15, 2015

Can you believe that the season of Lent, the 40 days excluding Sundays before Easter, starts this Wednesday February 18? Eastminster Presbyterian Church will open its observation of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Service at 7 p.m. on February 18. This is a time to reflect and worship. A time to ask God to forgive past wrongs and create in us “clean hearts and renewed and right spirits” as we live into the future. Persons who have attended know it can be very freeing, even healing. If you have not been before, I urge you to come. It is a sacred time, with beautiful music and a brief message. Those who desire receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads as an outer sign of God’s grace towards those who turn to Him. All receive a blessing. As I think of Lent and journeying toward Easter, the word “willingness” comes to mind. So often we think of Lent as a time to give up something as an act of denying ourselves and being open to God. We often focus on denial, which is indeed a spiritual discipline and a life skill. But to stop there and not be willing is spiritually short sighted. Being willing during Lent is to open ourselves up for God’s best in our lives. It is Jesus’ stance when he says, “Not my will but Yours be done.” Some of the more stubborn might at first pray “Lord make me willing to be willing.” Others might open each day with a prayer, “God I’m willing to be yours today.” Yet others might pray, “I’m willing to have that sin or resentment removed, so I can be more fully Yours.” In your bulletins today you will receive a flyer on our Interchurch Lenten Music, Worship and Luncheon Series. This series will run from Wednesday February 25- Wednesday April 1 and will feature some of the best preachers and musicians in our area. Plan to attend and invite friends. It will be an uplifting part of your day and week. Another special event will be a presentation on the Shroud of Turin by Ron Marshal at 6:45 p.m. on March 24. This has met with rave reviews in the past and Ron has new information. You will hear more in the future concerning ways we might grow during Lent and information of the “Masterpieces of the Gospel” sermon series that looks at Scriptures concerning Jesus’ last days through the lens of great art accompanied by great music from our choir. For now note that our main Lenten Communion will be at 7 p.m. on Good Friday, April 3, where Faure’s Requiem will be presented. A family-oriented Easter “Eggstravaganza” will be held the morning of April 4 as well as an evening Easter Vigil. Easter Sunrise service will be April 5 at 6:45 a.m. followed by Easter Services of praise at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. May we all observe a Holy Lent, drawing closer to our Lord of Love and Grace. Blessings, Tim