Don’t Give Up Anything for Lent…

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 6th, and lasts for 40 days before Easter. Lent is typically a time of soul searching and repentance, but the origins of Lent are found in BAPTISM. The early church used these 40 days to prepare new candidates for baptism. Lent is a time to remember our baptism and to remind ourselves daily of God’s mission in the world.

Many people see Lent as a time of self denial and solemn and stark asceticism. I see Lent as a time of ‘rich simplicity’ (well that’s what Sundays and Seasons Worship Planning suggests— and I agree). Our symbols and rituals should be striking and rich in contemplation. Our theme for this Lenten Season is YOUR NAIL, and will be based on a devotional booklet to be used every day in Lent. You will get your booklet at the Ash Wednesday Worship Service.

Many people ‘give something up’ for Lent. Some give up sweets, sodas, or just chocolate alone, which I’ve heard is really hard to do! I’ve never really been into ‘giving up’ for Lent. Somehow, I think that makes the sacrifice about me and not about God. If baptism is a gift from God, then the only thing we can do as participants in Baptism is RESPOND. We can DO something for Lent – not give something up.

This Lent DO something like: volunteer at the Food Pantry, or on Property Work Day, or at the SAMM Shelter. I don’t know how giving up sweets does anything for Jesus? Instead, Do something that lifts up the sacrifice of Jesus. This year, don’t give up anything for Lent. DO something.

♥ ♥ ♥

Epiphany - The Season of Light!

“Shepherds and Kings

Following Hopes and Stars

That take them deep into the night.
How far have they come?
We should really know for certainly
Everyone is a Shepherd and King”.

The Sundays of Epiphany are full of wonder and light! Epiphany is the revealing of the light – Jesus Christ to the world.

The journey of the shepherds and kings is truly our journey. Like those so long ago, we are
searching for Jesus and for the way of our very own lives. Who is Jesus to me? What does Jesus ask of me? How shall I go forward? Who shall I trust? Who shall I rely upon? How will I shine?

In our baptismal service we repeat the phrase, “Let your light so shine before others that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” How shall we shine? One candle can pierce the darkness, yes, however if there are many lights, well then we light the sky. You can shine alone, but joining your light with those of your family, community and church is an even greater illumination.

Don’t let the cold and dreariness of January keep you away from gathering with us in worship, study and fellowship. Be here. Let your light shine brightly!

♥ ♥ ♥

We are the reason for the season!

There is a popular jingle that I see this time of year. It reads “Jesus is the reason for the season”. While I know this is true and that the intent is to keep people in perspective, I also know that a greater truth is that “We are the reason for the season”.

You see, it is because of our sin, and violence and thoughtlessness that Jesus had to come to that little stable in Bethlehem. God came to us because we so desperately need saving. If we could remember this and hold Jesus in our hearts not only at this time but all through the year, well, then maybe we wouldn’t have to work at keeping our perspective. It would be natural! Knowing that WE are the reason for the season might keep us humble and thankful. For unto US a child is born! May the love of the Christ Child fill your heart with all goodness and believing. We are the reason for the season.

Holiday Stress

From Pastor Lynnae—

I love this time of year. I love the music and the fudge and the shopping! I love the colors and the jingles and the cheer. But, I know that for some the holidays are not happy. For some this is a time of greater grief and separation. Holiday stress can lead to extreme sadness, addictive behaviors and isolation. As we live in this world we continually face loss and grief. Wounds can become all the more raw in the season from Thanksgiving to Christmas. When so much focus is on family and friends those we have lost seem all the more distant. The loss can seem new and fresh in the middle of merriment and celebration. The long held traditions take on new meaning when the seats at the table are not full. At Abiding Love, we are aware of the many losses that people are dealing with every day.

Grieving can come from many different losses -loss of spouse, child, friends or loss of employment, self-esteem or home. Grieving is an attack of the heart as it waits to heal or learns to go on despite the change.

Join us, next Sunday afternoon, Dec. 2, at 3:00 p.m. in the Library, as we learn about the stages of grief and are offered some practical advice for surviving the holidays. Our leaders will be George Glaser and Pat Koch. The expression of our salvation is often joy, but it is also solemn and sometimes convicting. Loss touches everyone – I
pray that this season you may know the presence of God in your pain, and that your church family may be allowed to respond to your need.

♥ ♥ ♥

Reformation

This Reformation I offer the following scripture verses and recognition to Martin Luther, Reformer!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation
to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the
Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith
for faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith.’”
Romans 1:16-17

This key verse of the book of Romans was what spurred Martin Luther on to his reform of the church. We are saved by faith and grace and not by any work of our own. Thank you Luther, for reminding us that we are free to live out the gospel as a response to God’s gift of love.

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with
gladness; come into his presence with singing.” Psalm 100:1-2

"I, Doctor Martin Luther, wish all lovers of the unshackled art of music grace and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ! I truly desire that all Christians would love and regard as worthy the lovely gift of music, which is a precious, worthy, and costly treasure given to mankind by God.” Luther helped to bring music back into the halls of worship.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

One of Luther’s gifts to the church was his translation of the Bible into the German language. Not only did this bless the German people but it set a pattern for translating scripture into the common language for all people.

This Reformation may you read God’s word and hold it dear. May you remember our heritage and apply it’s lessons to your life. May you be constantly reforming.

Modern Cultural Idols

Dear friends,
I was asked to include the list of modern cultural idols from the June 3rd, Trinity Sunday sermon. That is so cool, 'cuz then I don't have to write a newsletter article!
Directly from the sermon:

"On this day when we celebrate the One God, maybe we ought to take a little time to get rid of all the other things, and people that we seem to worship. Like the early church we too are fighting polytheism. While it is not Aphrodite and Zeus that we are refuting, we are still confronted with idolatry - the idolatry of our culture. So let's name a few of our idols and try to remove them.

Let us remove the god of efficiency! No more may we be characterized by the need to do everything faster and more effectively! Instead let us waste time with God and for each other.

Let us remove the god of the almighty dollar! No more may the market economy dictate our habits, desires and fears. Instead let us be about genuine and truthful and giving lives. Lives that are lived in response to love.

Let us remove the god of traditionalism. No more may we say, "but we've always done it this way!" Instead let us dance to a new melody and engage new ideas!

Let us remove the god of vicarious performance. No more may we revel in the famous and newsworthy personalities. Instead let us recognize our own values and our own daily experiences that make us Godly people.

Let us remove the god of competition and success. No more may we measure our successes. No more may we need to be better before others. Instead let us be genuine disciples attracted to a life of deep spirituality.

Let us remove the god of power. No more may we seek personal agendas, demanding rights no matter how heretical they may be. Instead let us love one another seeking joy and grace. Let us know the only real power is the power of God.

Let us remove all the false gods that lead us into idolatry and seek the one true God. It is in right relationship with God and one another that we come to recognize the true personas of the Holy Trinity. Martin Luther said, "To try to deny the Trinity endangers your salvation, to try to comprehend the Trinity endangers your sanity."

The doctrine of the Trinity - the belief in the One true God is indeed a mystery. Maybe we will always be trying to figure out the mystery, but this much I know for sure. God has come to me as creator, savior and spirit of truth. This I must confess."

Pastor Lynnae