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Visit our Sunday worship services at 8 or 10:30 am. Sunday school and adult Bible class at 9:15. We are "Making Christ Known" by faith, worship and witness to get the message of Jesus Christ to all people.

March 2018

On: By: Rev. G. Michael Rose

“One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matt. 4:4

 

Dear Redeemer Family:

The Season of Lent is in some respects really a time of shifting the eyes. We purposefully strive to shift our eyes away from this temporary mortal world in which we find ourselves, and try to concentrate more on the eternal world of God. We find ourselves in two realms, to paraphrase St. Augustine. Christians are in this world, but not of it. Our allegiance, if you will, is to the eternal realms of the Kingdom of God. The forty days of the Lenten Season is to remind us of that. We try to more consciously live out our faith. As we walk through this earth, we may lose, or forget, the things that come from God. We may become blinded by the physical things that surround us. The very basics of life may interfere with our walks of faith. Literally, food, shelter and clothing may move to the center of our lives. And we forget that it is at the center of our lives that God belongs.

 

The traditional disciplines of Lent have been used for centuries, really millennia, as methods to remind us of what is important. More attention to our prayer lives by supplementing ourselves with Lenten devotions to remind us that we are not alone in this world. We have a heavenly Father who is with us all of the time of our lives. Our days should begin and end with thoughts of God, and in between as well. The tradition of fasting, though it is now most commonly just the giving up of meat on Fridays, teaches that literally, we “do not live by bread alone.” There is something far greater that gives us daily sustenance. The old tradition of giving something up for Lent is not just a form of self-denial. Traditionally, a person gave up something that they really enjoyed. Its purpose was really to teach that the things of this earth should not have a hold over us. And many people over the centuries, rather than giving something up, instead try to do some good towards others intentionally during this season. I personally like that way better.

 

These exercises are really of a spiritual nature. That may be a surprise to some. But, here is the real shocker. The intention was not that they only be done during the forty days of Lent. But that the Christian should continue to keep up these practices after Lent was finished, and so continue to grow spiritually and walk more fully in their faith. The purpose of Lent, among other emphases, is to teach us that truly, we do not live by these outward observances, “but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

 

May we all grow closer to God during this Lenten Season, whether we observe the ancient practices or not. But, I think that you will find that they do indeed help.

In Christ,

Pastor Rose

February 2018

On: By: Rev. G. Michael Rose

“Return to the LORD, your God, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.”
Joel 2:13

 

Dear Redeemer Family:
Interestingly, the national Church this year is calling the Season of Lent, “A Season of Restrained Celebration.” That is not by any stretch of the imagination what most of us think of when we think of Lent. What does come to mind for people when they think of Lent? It might be repentance or giving things up or a focus on the cross. For some it brings to mind a heavy-handed season of inward focus that feels dark. For others it has been experienced as a time for excessive guilt. It is not uncommon for Lent to be a six-week meditation on the crucifixion, as if Holy Week and especially Good Friday weren’t enough for the Church’s deep contemplation on Jesus’ death. Not everyone loves Lent because of how it has been observed in some times and places. Our practice should change such negative attitudes so that Lent can be a high point of the Church Year for the faithful.

 

In spite of all the baggage that some people still bring to the season, Lent can become a time of celebration. That may sound strange and unexpected, but hear me out. The key is that the celebration is restrained, is expressed in subdued and anticipatory ways, and is geared toward preparing to celebrate with exuberant joy the Divine paschal mystery at Easter. Lent is a season of fasting, and fasting is about a discipline of restraint so that one can celebrate more deeply and extravagantly something wonderful later. But even in that time of preparation, the joy that is to come is known now! This is Lent! Since Sundays in Lent are feast days and not fast days (Properly speaking Sundays are not part of the Season of Lent. You hear that when I announce the Gospel lesson. I don’t say, “The Holy Gospel for the 2nd Sunday of Lent.” Rather I say, “The Holy Gospel for the 2nd Sunday in Lent.” Every Sunday is a mini-celebration of Easter. So, they are all feast days.), and the celebration of Holy Communion is always appropriate, they are the perfect time to express a sense of restrained celebration and anticipatory joy.

 

Consider the origins of Lent: a time of intense preparation for baptism at Easter. What could be more joyful than to prepare for one’ life to be transformed into a new life in Christ? Yet, Lent was for preparation and expectation, not the full expression of celebration and joy. The disciplines and rituals of preparation all say to the baptismal candidate: get ready, God is about to do something wonderful in you through the death and resurrection of Christ at baptism!

 

This year, the Wednesday night Lenten Services will all indicate this in some way: God deliverance of us by some wonderful act; leading to a time to celebrate. I hope to see you all there.

 

In Christ, Pastor Rose