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Pastoral Leader's Blog

Coming Alive Lenten Preaching Sermon Series

lent2016

Over the next six weeks, we’ll be looking at topics related to things "Coming Alive."  In selecting our preaching texts from the lectionary, I noticed topics related to "Coming Alive" as a recurring theme.  Lent is perfectly positioned on the calendar to help us think about life coming through death.  Winter often feels harsh and cold and barren, but spring is full of glimpses of new life the greatest being Easter.  

As I write this, the wind is gusting 20 to 30 mph and it will be freezing by midnight.  Not very typical of Florida! At the same time, I noticed yesterday that the days are getting longer. This should be no surprise to anyone who paid attention to Groundhog Day last week, for the prognosticator of spring did not see his shadow, thus, indicating an early spring.  Having grown up in Pennsylvania, I can recall the feelings of hope and excitement that I had when I spotted the green shoots of daffodils sticking up through the snow.  The pointy shoots seemed delicate but strong enough to handle the frigid ground.  They provided vivid pointers to warm summer days and good times ahead.  They promised an end to the barrenness of winter.

When it comes to faith, we are likewise presented with an invitation to consider how new life can break forth from our old, dead ways.  The Lenten preaching will look at regeneration, hope, learning to beat temptation, a new creation, a new purpose and a new kind of King.  I’ll preach the bulk of it, but along the way we’ll also hear from our Associate Pastor, Dan Wolf and Navy Chaplain, Dennis Andrews.

Lent will come to a climax during Holy Week.  Palm Sunday will lead us into Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and then Resurrection Sunday.  I hope you will make plans to be with us for the whole journey.  Easter is always more meaningful when we’ve walked in the shoes of Jesus and his disciples through the agony and glory of our Lord’s passion.  I look forward to seeing you in His house these forty days!