The Time of Easter is once again upon us, giving us forty days for prayer and reflection in preparation for fifty days of rejoicing–all in celebration of the heart of our faith: the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Lent begins this time, giving us the opportunity to remember and rejoice in the precious gift of God’s grace given to us sinners through the sacrifice of His Son. This grace, displayed in Christ’s Cross, is the source and center of our lives, and it fills these Lenten days, spilling over and into all of our days, giving us joy, hope, and peace in believing. To give us focus on this gift which is the only thing which truly matters to us, we use this Lenten season to saturate ourselves with God’s grace that comes to us in time spent in prayer and worship, in study and meditation on God’s Word, and on receiving this precious gift in God’s sacred means of grace given in the water of Baptism, the word of Absolution, and in the Fruits of our Savior’s cross brought to us in receiving Holy Communion.

Let us take this sacred time that we have been blessed with to discover anew God’s grace for us–His grace which gives us life in and through Him now and forever!

Our Theme for Our Lenten Journey

2023 marks the 250th Anniversary of the well-known and well-loved hymn, “Amazing Grace”, written by the Englishman, John Newton, a former slaveship captain, convert to Christianity, and Anglican Priest. The hymn is a sung autobiography of his spiritual journey which has had echoes in the lives of a countless number of other Christians who have sung it over the years, making it their own story.

In our devotions and worship during this Lenten Season, we will look at “autobiographies” of people we meet in the Scriptures, how they were touched with God’s grace, and how that grace changed them and their lives–just as the grace we have received from Christ has changed us and made us new in Him.

Devotions for Use at Home

Devotional Materials have been sent to every member home for your use during this season. Both of the devotions–“Amazing Grace”, for adults, and “God’s Grace is Great”, for families with children–will allow us to explore from the people we meet in the Scriptures how God reaches out to us with His love and grace. The devotions for families also come with a small activity which is tied to each day’s reflection.

Limited “extra” copies of the “Amazing Grace” devotional are available. Please visit the literature table in the rear of the sanctuary to pick up a copy. Also available are additional Lenten Calendars and Scriptural Bookmarks for your use in reflecting on the Scriptures during this season.

Worshiping Together During the Lenten Season

The Season of Lent will begin as usual with worship on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd at 7:00 PM, with its traditional service including Confession, the Imposition of Ashes, and the celebration of Holy Communion.

This year’s Lenten preaching on the theme of “Chronicles of God’s Amazing Grace” will fill both our Sunday morning and Midweek evening services.

The Wednesdays of Lent–March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th–will be observed with Vesper Services. These services will be spoken liturgy with hymns sung acapella. All of our Midweek Services will begin at 7:00 PM, and you will be able to join us either in person at Trinity or by livestream on our church Facebook Page. For more information about these services, please visit our Worship Schedule page.

May God bless us all richly that these Lenten days are indeed filled with grace as we live and rejoice in His love given to us in Christ our Savior.

Peace and blessings,
+Pastor