It’s Lent.

The colors are purple. The cross is up. We gather for Ash Wednesday tonight (communion and ashes).

With many across the centuries and globe, we join those who say “yes” to a season of reflection, repentance and renewal. We carve out 40 days on the way to resurrection in which we remember Christ’s way, his costly sacrifice, and his calling upon each of our lives.

Churches and teachers may select from an endless variety of themes which are a prism into this holy season. In 2020 at Eden, we will inhabit the stories of Jesus’ day and ours with remembrance of his truth that “Perfect Love Casts Out Fear.” We’ll be walking with Jesus in more stories from the Gospels. Some of us may be led to buy and read this wonderful book about the Christian response to temptations of fear — Fear of the Other: No Fear in Love, by Will Willimon. You can order it here.

For many centuries, the call to intentional spiritual practice during this time has boiled down to “Pray. Fast. Give.” In 2020 at Eden, we will invite you to consider these things:

PRAY… Consider a new practice of silent or spoken or journaling or movement prayer in your daily life. I’d be delighted to support you in exploring these. In Sunday worship, we will once again have an extended silence near the beginning of service. In addition, throughout the season we will have an adapted time of “Joys and Concerns.” I will lead us in a time of petitions for our loved ones and world that is more liturgically formal. We invite you to share any specific requests by writing these in the prayer journal or placing them in writing upon the Lenten cross now standing in the sanctuary. Finally, the sanctuary will be open (unheated) on Tuesdays from 6:00-7:30 p.m. and Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. for silent prayer. Enter through the Fellowship Hall.

FAST… Consider giving up a substance or habit which you know “gets in the way” of Christ’s best for your mind or your time. Perhaps it’s time with certain people or gatherings, perhaps it’s a food or drink, perhaps it’s social media. (Among my choices will be giving up phone time for the first three hours of each day, and possibly taking a fast from social media every Sunday.)

GIVE… Consider giving of additional time or money to those in need – whether individuals or organizations. I encourage you to do this IF it’s a meaningful fresh practice of saying “Yes” to a Spirit nudge you have already received. This is not about piling on new “works.” But if there’s something that’s been on your mind and heart, draw nearer to Christ by saying an obedient “Yes”. We especially encourage you to remember Eden’s commitment to the hungry and homeless this year; we will be collecting non-perishable goods each Sunday in the rear of the sanctuary, to be delivered weekly to the Food Pantry.

One thing to remember — It can be very fulfilling and instructive sometimes to COMBINE the above three rhythms. Perhaps there’s something you’re giving up which could translate into more time or money to be released for a work Christ cares about.)

Together, let us dwell in gratitude and receptivity as we prepare for remembrances of Cross and Resurrection!

For the Good News,
Pastor Jacki