Lenten Letter from Pastor Chris

Morrow Church Community,

For years Lent has been my favorite season in the life of the church, not only because of the symbolism and traditions, but particularly because the earth around us mirrors the season.  On Ash Wednesday, when we recognize our own mortality with the sign of ashes, the earth is still barren, coming out of the winter season.  Each week as we progress toward Palm Sunday and Holy Week, nature becomes more alive, as spring emerges.  We celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday with the symbols of bright flowers, marking the rebirth of creation, noting that nature mimics the renewal and new life we find in Easter.

Lent gives us an opportunity for personal renewal, to renew things within ourselves which have become dormant, diminished, depleted and stretched thin.  We also are called to be agents of renewal as we love and care for our neighbors and communities.  Throughout Lent I will be preaching a sermon series, “Renew,” looking at how we may:

“Renew our Calling” - 2/26

“Renew our Commitment” - 3/4

“Renew our Perspective” - 3/11

Receive “Witnesses of Renewal” - 3/18 COP Sunday

“Renew our Fruitfulness” - 3/25

“Renew our Hope” - 4/1 Palm Sunday

“Renew our Life” - 4/8 Easter Sunday

Join me this Lent as together we observe a season of renewal, beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd.  Through our weekly worship services, Lenten School, Christian Education opportunities, midweek services and outreach opportunities, we will explore how God renews us and how we participate in the renewal of the world around us.  

Grace and peace,

Rev. Chris Heckert
Senior Pastor