Lent is a time of self-denial, a chance to remember and identify with the sufferings of our Lord. It is also an opportunity to make do with less and in this way to identify also with all those who have so little, those with whom our Lord identified. That gets increasingly more difficult – and simultaneously more important – in a word that seems to grow more materialistic by the day. It is challenging to watch the ads of television and across the media and not succumb to believing that we just can’t get buy without that new ______________ (fill in the blank). In this light, Lent and its call to self-denial is a gift, an opportunity to...

I need you help. I started this blog just prior to Ash Wednesday last year with the intention of posting a daily devotion on Mark’s story of Jesus’ passion. It was a way, I thought, of responding to the number of church’s I’d noticed that weren’t producing parish Lenten devotions any more. And then I figured that as long as I had a blog up and going, I could maybe post on something else once in a while Well…the once in a while became everyday (Sundays excepted!) and I enjoyed writing and sharing the Lenten devotions so much that I decided to continue, and so was born the “Daily Bread” devotions. Mark’s story of the...

With Lent just two weeks around the corner, I’m curious how your congregation is observing it. How does the sanctuary change? Are there different pieces of art? Different paraments? Do you have a sermon series or theme for the season? Do you prepare and/or use Lenten devotions. Do you have Wednesday services in Lent? A soup supper? How are these attended? And what about education? Is there a special adult or youth education emphasis for Lent? Do you have an adult forum series or book study? From the earliest time of the church, Lent has been a time for instruction in the faith. In fact, the season began as a time for those who wished to...