March 2010
Dear Wahiawa United Methodist Church Ohana,
I am trying something new during Lent this year. I will do a sermon series, "About Lent," to help us understand what this liturgical season is all about.
Lent comes from a medieval word that means "to lengthen" and it refers to the days that are getting longer. We are leaving the dark days of winter, and we welcome the light of the longer days that reminds us that the flowers will soon bloom, crops will soon grow, there is hope for food that sustains life, and the fun of celebrations out of doors that warm weather encourages.
Just as in the seasonal cycle, the church liturgical cycle of remembering Jesus birth, ministry, death, and resurrection comes around each year. It is good to remember Jesus ministry and words, and why it is important to be part of our church ohana.
Jesus is our light and our salvation, and Lent is a time when new converts to the Christian faith reviewed all they had learned for the past three years. For 40 days, they would prepare for baptism and church membership on Easter Eve, when they would participate in their first Holy Communion meal with their church family. As we go through Lent, my prayer is that we, too, will use this season to prepare for Easter and Holy Communion on April 4. Whether we are long time Christians or new to our faith, come each Sunday to find out "All About Lent." With Christ and the scripture as our GPS (God's Protective System) and through the power of the Holy Spirit as our guide through the Lenten wilderness, we can be new creations in Christ on Easter morning.
Blessings to you all as we walk through Lent and Holy Week together.
With much Aloha,
Pastor Fran
