PALM SUNDAY - MAR 24

 8:30 & 11am CHILDREN'S PALM PARADE

PRAYER SERVICES - MAR 25-27

7PM WORSHIP

MAUNDY THURSDAY - MAR 28 

7PM WORSHIP

GOOD FRIDAY - MAR 29

3PM WORSHIP

7PM CONCERT - MOZART'S REQUIEM 

HOLY SATURDAY - MAR 30

8PM EASTER VIGIL

EASTER SUNDAY - MAR 31

6AM - SUNRISE SHUFFLE

6:20AM - SUNRISE SERVICE (Fullerton/Lakefront Trail)

8:30AM - WORSHIP

9:30AM - EASTER BREAKFAST

10:15AM - KID'S EGG HUNT (School Playground)

11AM - WORSHIP

Lent is a time for refocusing one's faith and drawing closer to God. The Church has set aside this penitential time so that we can enter a season of repentance and reflect on God's Word in a focused, intentional way. One of the oldest practices adopted by Christians during this time of the year is that of fasting. Luther once wrote that, "Of fasting I say this: it is right to fast frequently in order to subdue and control the body. For when the stomach is full, the body does not serve for preaching, for praying, for studying, or for doing anything else that is good. Under such circumstances God’s Word cannot remain. But one should not fast with a view to meriting something by it as by a good work.”

So, Luther clearly tells us that fasting is an ok thing to do as Christians; it is even described as something beneficial when it comes to our spiritual lives. It isn't a good work, but it is something that helps us meditate upon our relationship with God in a new and different way. 

Even though Luther promoted this practice in his own day, the modern person may not understand the role of fasting. We live in a culture of abundance where food is readily available so, if we're being honest, fasting seems hard. We like to feast, not fast. When we do discuss fasting we often discuss it in the context of giving up something like TV time or sweets. 

When it comes to fasting, the bible is actually encouraging us to do something much more than simply giving up vices. The Old Testament and the New Testament both agree that fasting means "to do without food." Why might the Christian want to do this?

To fast in this manner reminds us that we are finite creatures, weak and afflicted by sin. We are hungry and therefore reminded of the fact that we are also needy; in need of God's grace.The biblical narrative shows us that those who fast are encouraged to call out to God in a desperate way as they are physically reminded of their weakness; underscored by the feeling of hunger. 

The reality is this: we are in all times and in all places reliant upon God; He is the unum necessarium, the one thing necessary in this life. He is the one who "satisfies the desire of every living thing." But, in our culture of overindulgence, we often forget this fact. Rather than overlooking the central relationship in our lives, which is with Christ Jesus, we can hear God's wisdom and focus on that solely by fasting from time to time. This doesn't need to be a big commitment; it can be something as simple as skipping one meal one day a week and, instead, spend that time praying and studying God's Word. By doing so we are embracing a powerful practice in the Christian life. Let us enter into Lent as the prophet Joel encourages us to, "''[returning] to [the Lord] with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;'." That Lenten mourning is answered by the most necessary thing in our lives: God's grace in Jesus Christ, which we take the time to refocus our attention on throughout this time of year.