LENT AND THE IRONIC SAYINGS OF JESUS` ENEMIES

Lent is a unique season in the Church Year. It is the time we prepare our hearts for the greatest celebration of all: Easter and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Prior to his rising, Jesus had to suffer and die to pay the price for our sins. During Lent we focus on that suffering and death with a tone of somber reflection and repentance.

To aid in this reflection, there will be special services. The first special service will be held on Ash Wednesday, February 18 at 6:30 p.m. Ashes were used in the Bible as a sign of sadness over sin and cleansing from sin. We will again have the opportunity for the imposition of ashes for those who wish. A meal will precede the service, beginning at 5:30 p.m. All other Lenten services will be held on Thursdays (February 26, March 5, 12, 19,26), at our regular worship time of 6:30 p.m. A meal will precede at 5:30 p.m. The main focus of these services is to hear again the details of the suffering and death of our Savior. Those portions from the Bible will be read at each service.

All of these services will be different from our Sunday services. Communion will be offered to members following the services on March 5, 12, 19 and 26.

The theme for the sermons is the ironic sayings of Jesus' enemies. These sayings are ironic because they were spoken to insult Jesus or discredit him, but at the same time, they contain a great truth. Pastor Phil Moldenhauer from Our Redeemer in Madison and Pastor Bauer from Good News in Mt. Horeb will rotate preaching with Vicar Pelischek and Pastor Strutz for these special services.

Here is the schedule and themes:

• February 26: Pastor Strutz, "The whole world has gone after him!"
• March 5: Pastor Moldenhauer, "You are a king, then!"
• March 12: Pastor Strutz, "His blood be on us and on our children!"
• March 19: Vicar Pelischek, "It is better that one man die than that the whole nation perish."
• March 26: Pastor Bauer, "His disciples will tell the people he has been raised from the dead."
• Maundy Thursday Worship will be held with communion on Thursday, April 2 at 6:30 p.m.
• Good Friday worship will be April 3 at 6:30 p.m. (no communion).

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*Easter Sunday is April 5th*
Sunrise Service at 7:00 a.m.
Easter breakfast between the services
Easter Festival Service at 9:00 a.m.
These two services will be different. You can come and enjoy both!