Dear friends in Christ,
On the first Sunday in Lent we read the Gospel of Mark’s account of Jesus’ baptism and his time in the wilderness. It is a very brief account, but we learn that God the Father was well pleased with God the Son, Jesus our Lord. Jesus’ baptism was, in a way, a commissioning and a strengthening for his life, ministry and special vocation or calling as our Savior. In a similar way we are commissioned in our baptism. God adopts us as His children in baptism and God commissions each one of us for our life of ministry and discipleship with Him.
After Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness where Satan tempted him. We like Jesus, will also spend time in the wilderness…times when we might feel challenged in our lives of Christian discipleship. Jesus was strengthened by his time in the wilderness. He trusted God’s will for His life and He trusted God’s ways. Jesus was steeped in the Bible and when tempted by Satan, Jesus was able to stay faithful by claiming the truths and promises of Scripture.
The Lenten season is always a wonderful time to strengthen our relationship with God and to deepen our trust and faith in Christ. May we spend more time praying and meditating on God’s word as we seek to draw nearer to God. And may we prepare ourselves to join in the events of Jesus’ last week of earthly life and ministry.
During Holy Week we will gather in the courtyard and new memorial garden on Palm Sunday at 10 am. At 7 pm on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday we will remember our Lord’s passion and his death on the cross. Then on Easter Sunday we will celebrate with joy the victory of Christ’s resurrection!
Blessings to you this Lenten and Easter Season,
Pastor Barbara Elizabeth+
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