From the Pastor for February Crossings, 2012
Bethlehem Lutheran has wonderful Wednesdays, a super Saturday, and inspiring Sundays for you in February and the Lenten Season. Here is a preview.
Three infant baptisms will occur. Owen Canham on February 5 and Randolph Wilcoxon on February 19 are young sons of current member families. Jaycee Kreske on February 19 is the daughter of a former BLC member family. We pray God’s blessings for each of them.
The Epiphany season includes two remaining Sundays in February. Gospel lessons on the 5th and 12th from Mark 1:29-45 manifest the healing power of Christ in several miracles.
Saturday, February 18 provides a pre-Lenten fellowship Mardi Gras event. A talent and art show at 5:00 p.m. followed by a fellowship meal will offer fun and food for everyone.
Sunday, February 19 is the Transfiguration of our Lord and our Sunday School children make brief alleluia banners to hide them until Easter when the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection is the time to shout and sing Alleluia.
Ash Wednesday, February 22, begins the Lenten Season of worship services that culminates with Holy Week and Easter on April 8. Throughout the Wednesdays and Holy Week events the traditional Biblical texts will be enhanced by dramatic portrayals of “Prayers of the Passion” featuring congregational members. We will sing Lenten hymns and hear how they were composed and used from past to present.
On one of the six Wednesday Lenten Services at 7:30 p.m. you are invited to be a reader during one of the 5-7 minute dramatic scenes or the introduction of the Lenten hymn for the evening. Mark J. Buchan has composed these dramatic sketches from the Prayer of the Passion to include the following:
Let This Cup Pass - Is Jesus the Messiah? Judas and Salome debate.Why Have You Forsaken Me? - Caiaphas’ servant Leah tells her mother about Jesus’ interrogation.
Father, Forgive Them – Simon of Cyrene shares with wife Miriam about the heavy cross he had to bear.
Jesus, Remember Me – Herod and Pilate read aloud letters determining how Jesus should be dealt with.
Into Your Hands I Commend My Spirit – Deborah, Delilah and Tia share stories of healing and hope.
Simon, I Have Prayed for You – Simon Peter prays for forgiveness in the shelter of a hideaway provided by Tamara.
Holy Week worship services will include an added feature entitled “I Will Sing of My Redeemer.” Persons representing Biblical and contemporary characters will offer a minute reflection that is inspired by a Lent and Easter hymn. A voice from the past and from the present will speak on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. These reflections are composed by Susan A. J. Lyttek.
Lenten Sunday Worship services will include the celebration of Holy Baptism as noted above, Holy Communion on the regular schedule, and Children messages and sermons based on the Gospel for the day. Special music by various choirs enriches our worship experience.
Come to Bethlehem in February. Take part and take a part to play in making this month a memorable experience for you and our members.
