Monthly Minute with Pastor Andrew

Hello to all the Monthly Minute readers of West Hempfield Presbyterian Church!

The season of Lent – 40 days (not counting Sundays) until Easter - has officially begun.

Lent is a season of preparation, sacrifice, reflection, and humility. Just as Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness after his baptism and before the official start of his public ministry, we set aside these 40 days to prepare for Easter. 

As we look forward to Easter, we think about the great sacrifice Jesus was willing make for us in dying on the cross, the great power of God to overcome even death with the resurrection, the great promise “I will never leave you nor forsake,” that is fulfilled in gift of the Holy Spirit freely given to all believers.

How are we to prepare for such wonder?

Well, Presbyterians are not required or expected to do anything for the season of lent, but many will choose to participate in one way or another.

Many people like to do something special for the season of Lent. Some will give something up until Easter; some might take something on that they don’t normally do. Blessings to anyone who is making such commitments this season!

I want to take this opportunity to encourage us all in our time spent with God – all year, but especially in this time as we prepare for Easter. A variety of options are available for anyone seeking to deepen their walk with Jesus this season of Lent.

As always "These Days" and "Our Daily Bread" devotionals are available at the church for free. Stop in and pick one up, or contact the church office and we can put one in the mail for you.

The Lending Library bookshelf in the lobby is a resource for everyone. Feel free to take a book and/or leave a book for someone else.

As many of you know, I am a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. PTS has an online option for you. If you go to www.pts.edu/devotional_1 you will find links to download the entire devotional as a PDF or open just one day at a time. You can sign up to have the daily devotionals delivered to your email. There are even links to listen as the Scripture and devotional are read to you!

Whatever we may choose to do (or not do) this season, I encourage us to remember the advice of Scripture.

Joel 2:12 says Even now, declares the LORD, return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. And yet the very next verse says Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity.

No matter how we might choose to prepare for Easter this year, may it be our hearts that are changed. May we all be more like our compassionate, self-sacrificing Savior each and every day.

Blessings,   Rev. Andrew Wirt