With Ash Wednesday, February 10th, the 40-day season of Lent begins. This is a season for prayer, fasting, study of Scripture, and self-giving service. This is a season to go deep in our faith and renew our commitment to discipleship as we remember Christ’s ministry, teaching, suffering, death, and resurrection.

Our Lenten theme this year is “Streams of Mercy.” For our Catholic brothers and sisters, Pope Francis has announced this year as the Holy Year of Mercy. As they are in study and prayer on mercy, the first attribute of God, we will join with them in heart and spirit pondering God’s gift of mercy to us all and lives centered in that gift as we reach out to others in that same spirit.

Through worship, sermons, Scripture reflection, and the writings of our Lenten devotional, I invite you into the heart-space of this holy season, opening your own heart to receive God’s gift of mercy for you and letting all your relationships and interactions with others be shaped by that same spirit.