![\"Rev.](\"http:\/\/www.edenuccchicago.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/JackiBelile-cropped.jpg\")
It’s Lent.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt’s Lent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The colors are purple. The cross is up. We gather for Ash Wednesday\ntonight (communion and ashes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With many across the centuries and globe, we join those who say\n“yes” to a season of reflection, repentance and renewal.\nWe carve out 40 days on the way to resurrection in which we remember\nChrist’s way, his costly sacrifice, and his calling upon each of our\nlives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Churches and teachers may select from an endless variety of themes which\nare a prism into this holy season. In 2020 at Eden, we will inhabit\nthe stories of Jesus’ day and ours with remembrance of his truth that\n“Perfect Love Casts Out Fear.” We’ll be walking with Jesus in\nmore stories from the Gospels. Some of us may be led to buy and\nread this wonderful book about the Christian response to temptations of\nfear — Fear of the Other: No Fear in Love<\/em>, by Will\nWillimon. You can order it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For many centuries, the call to intentional spiritual practice during\nthis time has boiled down to “Pray. Fast. Give.” In 2020\nat Eden, we will invite you to consider these things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n PRAY<\/strong>…\nConsider a new practice of silent or spoken or journaling or movement\nprayer in your daily life. I’d be delighted to support you in\nexploring these. In Sunday worship, we will once again have an\nextended silence near the beginning of service. In addition,\nthroughout the season we will have an adapted time of “Joys and\nConcerns.” I will lead us in a time of petitions for our loved\nones and world that is more liturgically formal. We invite you to\nshare any specific requests by writing these in the prayer journal or\nplacing them in writing upon the Lenten cross now standing in the\nsanctuary. Finally, the sanctuary will be open (unheated) on\nTuesdays from 6:00-7:30 p.m. and Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. for silent prayer. Enter through the Fellowship Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FAST<\/strong>…\nConsider giving up a substance or habit which you know “gets in the\nway” of Christ’s best for your mind or your time. Perhaps it’s time\nwith certain people or gatherings, perhaps it’s a food or drink, perhaps\nit’s social media. (Among my choices will be giving up phone time\nfor the first three hours of each day, and possibly taking a fast from\nsocial media every Sunday.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n GIVE<\/strong>…\nConsider giving of additional time or money to those in need – whether\nindividuals or organizations. I encourage you to do this IF\nit’s a meaningful fresh practice of saying “Yes” to a Spirit\nnudge you have already received. This is not about piling on\nnew “works.” But if there’s something that’s been on your\nmind and heart, draw nearer to Christ by saying an obedient\n“Yes”. We especially encourage you to remember Eden’s\ncommitment to the hungry and homeless this year; we will be collecting\nnon-perishable goods each Sunday in the rear of the sanctuary, to be\ndelivered weekly to the Food Pantry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One thing to remember — It can be very fulfilling and instructive\nsometimes to COMBINE the above three rhythms. Perhaps there’s\nsomething you’re giving up which could translate into more time or money\nto be released for a work Christ cares about.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Together, let us dwell in gratitude and receptivity as we prepare for\nremembrances of Cross and Resurrection!<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the Good News, It’s Lent. The colors are purple. The cross is up. We gather for Ash Wednesday tonight (communion and ashes). With many across the centuries and globe, we join those who say “yes” to a season of reflection, repentance and renewal. We carve out 40 days on the way to resurrection in which we remember Christ’s…<\/span><\/p>\n
\nPastor Jacki<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"