Pastor's Notes for March

My friends in Christ,

We are now in the middle of the Lenten Season. Lent is a time of preparation. It is a time of being deepened in the faith. Faith is not a human possibility. It is a gift given at one’s baptism. It begins small and weak. But as we grow in years our faith is deepened by our association with a congregation where the Word of God is preached and the Lord’s Supper is celebrated. During worship, God’s Holy Spirit is indeed active speaking to the worshipper whether that worshipper realizes it or not. That is what Almighty God has promised to do. Thus, Christian worship is special. It is an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to work in your life, both strengthening and deepening our faith.

Faith, of course, is not knowledge. If that were the case, we could just read some books about it and call it good. No, faith is primarily trust. Now trust must be nurtured; it doesn’t happen easily. Faith is truly a living, dynamic reality. Because this is the case faith must continually be encouraged. Faith is like a human muscle which must always be exercised or else it becomes lethargic and flabby. During Lent it is a time to ponder the greater mystery of the Christian Faith: The Resurrection of Jesus our Lord. Lent is a time to ask questions. Why did this happen? Who is responsible? What are the benefits of this action: this is one reason why I appreciate the Lenten DVD’s. Hopefully, they engage us in thought and in the process we are deepened. I know that for many the Christian faith is not supposed to ask questions; it’s supposed to give answers only. But, you know, life is just too complex. There are always questions and sometimes we have to do a little searching of the faith in order to discover how it can inform and answer tough questions.

May this time of Lent be a blessing for you. Behold Easter is coming soon.

In Christ,

Pastor Larry