What about the devil? Did he make you do it? Is he in the details? Are you playing his advocate? Sometimes the devil is referenced so much it’s as if we don’t take him seriously. He is real, though, and has one goal: to tear us away from Jesus. And if it were up to us and our sinful flesh, he would have an easy job of it. So Jesus steps in. The devil must have thought it was an easy thing to trick Adam and Eve into abandoning God’s Word. Maybe the devil thinks Jesus will be just as gullible and a pushover. Not so fast, evil one! Throw every temptation at Jesus you can, but the Son of God won’t fail. The devil’s temptation of Jesus isn’t about Jesus, though. It’s not a test for His sake. It’s not about seeing how strong Jesus is. It is about Jesus being strong for us. Doing what we can’t do. Overcoming the one we can’t overcome. Undoing what Adam has done. The temptation of Jesus isn’t a guide for how we can fight the devil. It’s Jesus doing the fighting for us. And He wins. So you win. Jesus overcoming temptation means that His victory over the devil counts for you. If it ever seems that the devil is dogging you, trying to convince you that you’re going to fail, you just remind him of what happened in the wilderness and even more what happened on Calvary and Easter morning. There’s all the proof he needs that he can’t do anything to you. You belong to Jesus! We’ll hear all about it this Sunday, the First Sunday in Lent.
NO MORE MASKS IN WORSHIP
Following the latest guidance, the Elders and I have concluded that we no longer need to require masks for those who are at church. Please note that if you wish to wear a mask, that is perfectly acceptable. Please love and respect your neighbor in whatever decision they make about whether to wear a mask or not. We’re also returning to Communion at the rail. Offerings will continue to be received on the table in the Narthex.
WEDNESDAYS IN LENT
Take some extra time during this Lenten season to hear God’s Word and receive His gifts. Divine Service is each Wednesday at 7pm and will be a different service than Sunday, with an emphasis on the gifts of Baptism and Confession.
ADOPT A SHUT-IN
As another way to practice the Lenten discipline of “charity” (taking extra time to help others), please consider ADOPTING A SHUT-IN. We have contact information for our Homebound Members and suggestions on ways to reach out to them and remind them they are not forgotten in the Body of Christ. We’re asking that individuals or families commit to reaching out to their “adopted” homebound member at least once each week over the six weeks of Lent. If you’d like to participate, you can get a contact sheet in the narthex after worship. We have a few names left for folks to consider adopting for this Lenten season.
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT FOR 2022-23
Enrollment for next School Year begins this week! If you know anyone with children ages 3 years old through Second Grade, send them our way for more information on our Christ-centered academic excellence!
UPDATE ON PETER POLLACK
Peter has moved to a step-down unit, a sign of progress as he continues his recovery with his new lungs. If you’d like to send a card or other well-wishes, you can use the Pollacks’ home address:
6490 Breece Rd
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
You can watch live and find recorded services at the links below:
Our videos are also live and recorded on YOUTUBE HERE.
Jesus undergoing temptation in the wilderness is the Savior fighting our fight for us, a fight we could never win on our own. Jesus came to undo what Adam destroyed, to do what we cannot. In one sense, Lent is the ongoing story of Jesus wrecking Satan’s kingdom and the failure of Satan to turn Jesus is the first in a series of battles the devil will lose. That culminates in Calvary when the death that Adam brought into the world falls upon Jesus who undoes it by His Easter triumph rising from the dead. It’s good, the best! – to have Jesus on your side. And He is! See you in the Divine Service!
In Christ,
Pastor Buetow Ash Wednesday
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