Lent - 2011

Lent 2011: Journey Into New Life

Lament! Simply reading that word can cause one to stop reading. But please keep reading! A definition for lament is to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret. In the Scriptures we find people like Job, Jeremiah, David, and Jesus giving a voice to their experience of suffering. This is what it means to lament.
During Lent (March 13th thru April 24th-Easter) our worship focus is on Lament. What is lament? What is the relationship between suffering and lament? Where is God when we lament? How do lament, healing, and new life in God fit together. What does it mean to be a friend to someone who is lamenting ?
This may initially sound like a depressing focus, but the very nature of God is love. Lament opens our lives up to God's love. Lament creates spaces where God's healing light and liberation can enter our souls.
We are journeying through the book of Job. It is a long book. For many, trying to read through Job from front to back is too much. Therefore, on our web site and in our bulletin the specific sections of Job for each Sunday of Lent along with daily segments are provided to help you stay connected with the narrative of the story. Follow each reading by engaging in the Daily Reflections on Scripture listed below the reading schedule.
As you Journey Into New Life this Lent, intentionally spend time with this question: What suffering (pain, broken-ness, loss, etc.) in your life needs to be given a voice? The point is to give voice to God of your experience of suffering. Open those dead, dark places within you up to the resurrecting power of the Risen Jesus Christ so that you will experience New Life. As you consider this question, keep three things in mind. First, what does the longing for God's presence feel like in your life. Next, remember God's faithfulness by asking "What has God done in my life that is worth remembering?" Finally, think about what you know to be true of God's character*. (* From A Sacred Sorrow by Michael Card [NavPress, 2005])