Dear Lake B family and friends,
We are fast approaching the Lenten season - it begins next week on Ash Wednesday. Our Lenten theme this year is, “Beautiful Questions on the Way,” a theme derived from a quote by the poet EE Cummings: “The most beautiful answer is preceded by an even more beautiful question.” Good questions unlock powerful revelations about ourselves, about God, and about our community, especially when those asking are intent on listening and learning. I believe the right and beautiful question, asked with a sincere desire to learn, is one of the marks of followers of Christ. Each of the passages for Lent includes one or more of Jesus’ questions (I didn’t really notice this until I had read through them several times). Each of our Sunday morning sermons and conversations, our small group discussions, and the weekly Lenten devotional reflections offered by Lake B writers will lift up this theme of Beautiful Questions while we journey together during Lent. You will receive those devotional reflections each week in place of my weekly letter on Thursday mornings. I look forward to what we might discover together as we make our way to Holy Week. I have listed below the scripture texts we will talk about each week – in service, in small groups and in our weekly devotions. Lastly, please consider joining a Lenten small group – they have become important spaces for us to be with others and to strengthen our connections to one another and to Lake B as a whole. Finally, I look forward to this Sunday’s service (February 14). Dr. Joyce delRosario is a friend and colleague to many of us and will preach from Luke 9:28-45. I know you will enjoy hearing from Joyce, who has a wonderful way of seeing scripture and communicating the gospel so it’s accessible and meaningful. I hope you will join us! Grace and peace, Pastor Lina You are invited to read along these texts for Lent: Ash Wednesday, 2/17 Luke 9:51-62 – Jesus turns to Jerusalem Sunday 2/21, Luke 10: 25-42 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Sunday 2/28, Luke 13:1-9, 31-35 – Parable of the Fig Tree, Lament over Jerusalem Sunday 3/7, Luke 15:1-52 – Parables of the lost sheep, coin, prodigal son Sunday 3/14, Luke 16:1-13 – Parable of the rich man and Lazarus Sunday 3/21, Luke 18:31-19:10 – Healing a blind man, meeting Zacchaeus Palm Sunday 3/28, Luke 19:29-44 – Triumphal entry into Jerusalem Maundy Thursday, 4/1 Luke 22:1-27 – Preparation for the Last Supper Good Friday 4/2, Luke 23:32-47 – Crucifixion narrative Holy Saturday 4/3, John 19:38-42- Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus April 4 Resurrection Sunday, Luke 24:1-12 - Empty tomb, women perplexed and carrying the message |