Dear Friends in Christ,

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday –February 17, this year. Our Lenten Midweek Wednesday services follow the theme of the seven words of Christ that He spoke from the cross as He offered up His life for the life of the world. Each word imparts a blessing and is a word of Gospel.

The sermons and meditations in this series will expound on these words of Christ, linking them to Jesus’ words and works recorded in the Gospel as well as the Old Testament prophesies that pointed to Him. Each word of Christ proclaims and delivers something about Him, the Word Incarnate, and delivers His saving death to us that we would trust Him for forgiveness, life, and salvation. The series will continue from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week, and to Easter Sunday.

In addition, our Sunday morning Adult Bible Study that meets in church will explore this theme. The Adult Bible Study is held weekly between services (9:15 a.m.), in the Christian Fellowship Hall.

Every Wednesday you will want to hear the Passion History and sermon, sing our beloved Lenten hymns and canticles, pray the liturgy and prayers, and ponder these matters more deeply. Our Midweek Wednesday evening Lenten services begin at 7:00 p.m.

Don’t forget soup suppers are offered each Wednesday in the school cafeteria from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30. The meals are offered by Immanuel’s Youth Group and MOST team. The menu is different each week, and is announced in the IMAGES.

I know you will want to hear the reading of the Passion History and sermons, sing our beloved Lenten hymns, and pray the liturgy and prayers as we ponder these matters more deeply. My prayer is that our dear Father in heaven, for the sake of His beloved Son and in the power of His Holy Spirit, might richly bless this Lententide for us that we come to Easter with glad hearts and keep the feast in sincerity and truth.

In Christ, Pastor Loest