March 6

Beloved of Good Shepherd Church,

Grace to you and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord!

I don’t want you to try to do everything on offer at Good Shepherd for Lent. This season of preparation for Easter is not intended to be yet another list of things to do. Because we’re a big church with a wide variety of people among our membership we have a broad array of Lenten offerings. My sense is that you will definitely be able to find a handful of practices and activities to aid your observance of a Holy Lent as we all journey to Easter together. You can find it all HERE.

How do you choose what to do or not do for Lent?

Lent is about dismantling the obstacles between you and God. What stands in the way preventing you from a deeper relationship with God? Perhaps it is something you want to try letting go of for the next 40 days. Or maybe there is something you want to pick up (a new prayer practice or daily habit) for the next 40 days. It doesn’t have to be a big thing. What little thing would enliven love in you? Do that until Easter. What little thing prevents you from being your most loving, God-grounded self? Don’t do that thing until Easter.

Finding a way to be helpful to people in dire straits is not only the right thing to do and congruent with the call of Jesus, it is also a way to take a step forward in your spiritual journey. I invite you to pay special attention to our community outreach offerings scheduled for Lent. There are 153 spots for outreach service from now until Easter. We are partnering with 7 different community organizations. In addition we’re going to collect 200 new pillows for our friends at the Chrysalis House. Learn more HERE.

I am excited to observe Lent with you! I have a sense that we’re all going to grow deeper in love with God and each other as we make our way to Easter. Remember don’t try to do it all, just find the handful of Lenten practices and activities that you think might be transformative in some small way, commit yourself to them, and see what God does with you.

Remember this always - God loves you, and I love you too!

Love is all,

Hendree+