Redeemer Lutheran and St. Theodore’s
On Sunday, Feb. 22, the congregations of Redeemer Lutheran Church and St. Theodore of Canterbury Episcopal Church will celebrate the First Sunday of Lent at the 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion Service. Rev. Murray Fink will preside over the service that meets at 13564 St. Andrews Drive. All are welcome to join.
People are encouraged to join the February birthday celebrations after service in the Fellowship Hall with coffee, tea, cookies and snacks.
The congregations will accept new members in the spring. Those who are interested in membership should speak to Rev. Finck or one of the church council members on Sundays.
Lenten Gathering
People are invited to join the Lenten reflection study and supper on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The group will meet Feb. 25, and March 4, 11, 18 and 25. People are asked to sign up on the sheet in the entryway so the church can have a head count to plan the meal.
Bazaar Committee
The bazaar committee has decided to have twice-a-month crafting get-togethers on the first and third Mondays at 10 a.m. The next meeting will be March 2. This will allow the congregation to better prepare for the spring and fall bazaars. All crafters are welcome.
The group will have preplanned projects that anyone can do with the materials provided. People are also welcome to share their ideas for future crafts.
Weekly Message
The Gospel lesson for this week is from Matthew 4:1-11. The last Sunday in February is the first Sunday in Lent.
The number 40 is popular in the Scriptures: the rain of the great flood lasted 40 days and nights; Moses fasted for 40 days and nights to prepare himself to receive the Law; Moses was atop Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights receiving the Law; the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years; the manna rained down on the Israelites for 40 years; and the prophet Elijah walked 40 days and nights to reach the Mountain of God, Horeb.
Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights in the desert and was tempted to prepare for His public ministry. So it is that the number 40 means something, as it brings to mind such qualities as repentance, preparation, self-examination, transformation, escape from bondage or slavery (such as to sin), nourishment and growth (for example, in the spiritual life), redemption and salvation, and ultimately, new life. Is it a wonder that the human gestation period for new life is around 40 weeks? As the church enters Lent, believers are encouraged to decide what they personally will work on this Lent to bring about their own new life through Jesus’ redemption and salvation.
