A Voice in the Wilderness

2020-02-27

Don’t just give up!

Lent! It’s more than just giving stuff up.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self‑examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self‑denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.  BCP p.265

I love this invitation to a holy lent from the Ash Wednesday service in our Book of Common Prayer. I love it because it is as much about taking things up and putting them into action as it is about putting things down and giving them up.

All the actions listed in the “invitation” are practices that Christians around the world have followed since the days of the early church. They are tools that help us grow in our relationship with our Lord … IF we are willing to pick them up and use them.

One of practices that I would like for us to focus on during this season of Lent is the reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. To that end, I will be offering a study on the Gospel of Matthew on Sunday and Wednesday mornings at 10:45 AM (we will cover the same ground on both days).  

Why Matthew’s gospel you ask? First and foremost, it will draw our attention to the person and work of Jesus Christ. A good place to start a study of the bible as a Christian!

Matthew is also the gospel that we will be reading most of this year. As we read and study this book together, we will be able to tie the Sunday morning pieces together and see how they fit in the book as a whole.

I encourage you to make this one of your Lenten practices. Why not read the first chapter today?

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Blessings,

Matthew+

Coming up...

Ash Wednesday

Start the season of Lent on February 26th at 7:00 PM: Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes.
Ash Wednesday is the first of the forty days of Lent, named for the custom of placing blessed ashes on the foreheads of worshipers at Ash Wednesday services. The ashes are a sign of penitence and a reminder of mortality.

The Gospel according to Matthew

Fr. Matthew will be offering a study on the Gospel of Matthew on Sunday and Wednesday mornings at 10:45 AM (we will cover the same ground on both days).  Bring your bible and your questions as we open the scriptures together.

Lent Madness (Who will win the Golden Halo?)

Do you have a favorite Saint? Do they have what it takes to win the Golden Halo?  See Teri Jurgens to get a copy of the Saintly Scorecard so you can participate in Lent Madness.

Link to the Lent Madness website here!

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper February 25th

We had an amazing  pancake supper (benefiting Mountain Family Center on February 25th from 5-7 PM. We enjoyed delicious pancakes, sausages, King's cake, and cookies...not to mention each others company! Kay Irvine provided great music.Special thanks to everyone who came and helped make the evening a success!

This Sunday's Readings

The lectionary readings for this Sunday are:

• Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

• Psalm 32

• Romans 5:12-19

• Matthew 4:1-11

You can read them online here.

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