Hi everyone! Pastor Gaylene here!
This last week held two yearly events that are a part of the church practice that are the prelude or time of preparation for our Lenten journey. Tuesday prior to Ash Wednesday is known as Shrove Tuesday. It is also known as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras! It is the last day to pig out and party before Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday’s event is a time of penance, worship and quiet reflection. Worship services around the world will hold a service where ashes in the form of the cross are placed on the foreheads of the congregants. It is a reminder that “from dust you have come and from dust you shall return.” Here’s an interesting piece of trivia; the ashes from the previous year’s palm branches from Palm Sunday are burned and mixed with oil for the imposition of the ashes.
This week officially begins the season of Lent. This week’s message takes us back to Chapter 4 of Matthew and Jesus’ time in the wilderness. Following on the heels of Jesus’ baptism scripture tells us He was immediately thrust into the wilderness for a 40 day fast. That’s a long time to go without food. On the last day of the fast guess who shows up…Satan! Satan is the temptor and he LIES! He challenges Jesus at His most vulnerable. Jesus is hungry, exhausted and ready for this time to be over! Satan tempts him and challenges him with food, God’s promises and Jesus’ faithfulness to His Father God. Come and hear how Jesus in this most vulnerable state still has the strength to defeat Satan. It’s a cool story!
Hope Lutheran in Springtown is a small, but GROWING congregation. We are a friendly, casual dress, coffee drinking and welcoming bunch. ALL ARE WELCOME at Hope Lutheran. Each week we participate in God’s Word, spoken, preached, sung and celebrated at the Lord’s Table with weekly Communion.
This Week’s Calendar
9:00 Sunday School for all ages.
10:00 Worship with Communion. All are welcome at the Table of Grace and Mercy. So come and see. Come and worship. Come and fellowship with the nicest, friendliest folks around.
See you Sunday. Grace and pieces, PGC (Pastor Gaylene Chrystie)
