Most people think of Lent as a time for us to be doing something more. More church. More giving up stuff. More fasting. But the heart and center of the 40 day season of Lent is the readings that we will hear each week. These readings tell us of Jesus’ work to overcome the devil, the world, and our sinful natures on our behalf. Lent is the story of Jesus fighting a battle we can’t fight ourselves. It is Jesus rescuing us from all of our enemies and saving us. This coming weekend, we’ll hear Jesus overcoming the temptations of the devil to stand fast and go the way of suffering and death. The devil wants to make it easy for Jesus. But Jesus taking the easy way is not the way that saves you and me. Join us as we celebrate the First Sunday in Lent this week.
Lent does give us the opportunity to grow together as the Body of Christ and in Jesus’ Word. Make sure to take time each Wednesday at 6pm for our FAMILY LENTEN SUPPERS and at 7pm for EVENING PRAYER WITH HOLY COMMUNION. We have some neat readings lined up that will help you connect the dots between the Old and New Testaments and learn how Jesus is the fulfillment of all that sacrifice stuff in the Bible.
Mark you calendar to come out MONDAY, MARCH 18, between 4 and 9pm for our YOUTH GROUP CULVER’S fundraiser at the McHenry Culver’s. Enjoy a meal or treat and our Youth Group will get 15% of the sales that night for use toward our Higher Things Conference this summer in Wisconsin.
Also make sure to take the time to attend our two VOTERS MEETINGS on SUNDAY, MARCH 24, following worship. (No Learning the Faith that week). The main agenda item is the presentation and (hopefully) adoption of our Bylaw changes. These are good changes that will reflect how we get things done at Zion and help streamline our work together.
Check the News Notes this week for a list of other upcoming dates for all sorts of activities. We’ve also got VBS on the calendar the week of June 10. There will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex this weekend if you would be willing to give some time to help with VBS this summer.
Our sinful nature is all too happy to run after the devil when he calls. But Jesus steps in to defeat the Accuser and to rescue us from his lies. He’ll do exactly that through His Word and gifts and so we’ll see you in the Divine Service this weekend!
In Christ, Pastor Buetow
Download this week’s Bulletin, Daily Devotions, NewsNotes and Volunteer Schedules from our website here:
