A Message from Pastor Andrea

March 2, 2022, marks the beginning of the Lenten season as we gather for Ash Wednesday worship at 7 pm.  Remember that wearing a mask is strongly encouraged for worship at Hope.

The Ash Wednesday service will include the imposition of ashes by each participant for themselves. As was the case in 2021, each seat in the sanctuary will have a small container of ashes, and a cotton swab to assist each person with applying the ashes on their foreheads as the liturgy instructs. We’ll be doing it together, but by individual application.

I’m looking forward to the following Wednesday nights of the Lenten season, as well, when we gather for mid-week worship at 7 pm utilizing the Marty Haugen liturgy for Evening Prayer.  We will focus on the theme: “A Way in the Wilderness” which the artwork in this issue highlights.  The study was created by ELCA World Hunger.  The study will be sent via electronic link to all the email  addresses we have for members and mailed to those without email access.  Several copies will be printed and available in the church office if you prefer to pick yours up.

The study focuses on Scripture readings for Lent with stories of hope from ministries supported by ELCA World Hunger. I encourage you to read them at home for a weekly devotion, as well as coming to the Wednesday service to hear the application to our story now. The study will be “… challenging us and I inspiring prayerful thought about what it means to be a church for the sake of the world.” (ELCA World Hunger material)

To assist us in our study, we will focus on Wednesday nights on various parts of the theme by way of a visual display that is added to weekly. The visuals follow the text themes:

• Week 1 – Family of Faith
• Week 2 – New Promise
• Week 3 – Thirsting for God
• Week 4 – Harvest of Gifts
• Week 5 = Pulling it all together

I look forward to being with you in these Lenten services as we reflect on our Way in the Wilderness.

Blessings,

Pastor Andrea