On Wednesday, February 17 we will enter the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. In typical COVID fashion, our Lenten activities will look a bit different this year. There will not be any soup suppers or Maundy Thursday feasts. We will not gather in our building each week, but we will gather online. It’s going to look different, but perhaps that’s OK. Because Lent is a different time in our church calendar. 

Despite feeling there is nothing to do right now, it is easy to set our faith aside. There’s always something to watch on TV or a Facebook conversation to track. With all the distractions of life, this Lent I invite you into a time of intentionality. Carve out time each day or each week, to contemplate your Lenten journey. Consider what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Where might you be falling short? Where might you grow in the coming year? What can you commit to that will give you life and grow your faith?

This Lent, I have a few resources for you to consider using as you journey through this season:

1. Sunday & Midweek Lenten Worship – Commit to joining us for worship on Sundays & Wednesdays throughout Lent. On Wednesdays, our worship theme will be: Resilience: An Act of Faith & Hope. These services will be put together by Pastors of the La Crosse Area Synod, including myself. Throughout this series, we will look at biblical stories of resilience and consider our own resilience.

 2. Lent in a Bag – pick up a bag from Peace with items and devotions to reflect on throughout the season. This can be done as a family devotion or even individually as you contemplate the season. Bags will be available at Peace beginning February 14. Please Sign Up Here if you’re interested in getting a bag!

3. Devotions – Commit to reading a daily devotion throughout Lent. Pick up a Christ in Our Home Devotional from Peace or check out the many apps on your smartphone. I would suggest “Pray as you go” or “d365”.

4. Prayer – Join our Connect and Pray group each Tuesday at 1 pm or sign up for the Peace Prayer Chain and pray for the needs of our congregation. Just let me know if you’re interested in either of these opportunities and I’ll get you connected!      Lent is a time of reflection and growth. I hope you will live with intentionality this Lent by experiencing the ever-present mercy, grace and love of Jesus Christ.  

Pastor Dawn