February 19, 2021

Hello Road Church Friends,

We are now at the beginning of Lent which will take us to Easter on April 4.

Lent is a 40 day period dedicated to discipleship and spiritual growth,—learning and doing new things in service to God and neighbors. It is modeled on Jesus’ 40 day spiritual quest of fasting and testing in search of his true identity and purpose.  Jesus began his journey into the desert as a Galilean carpenter or handyman, but he came out of that experience knowing that he was the Son of Man and Son of God.

What a difference 40 days of fasting, testing and reflection made in the life of Jesus.

“40” in Scripture represents a period of dramatic change for the better. Lent is a 40 day opportunity to experience big permanent changes in our spiritual life. These next six weeks can also be an opportunity to prepare ourselves mentally and spiritually for our life together as a church community post-Covid, after all of us have been vaccinated. My Sunday messages in the coming weeks will be about the building blocks that make for a vital church life.

The Scripture reading for this Sunday is Mark 2:1-12

Sermon title: “It’s All About Forgiveness”

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’, or to say, ‘'Stand up and take your mat and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

LENTEN PRAYER

Lord God almighty, grant us grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil, and with determination to follow the path that Jesus blazed. During this time of Lent may we advance in the knowledge of Christ and be guided by his spirit. Amen.

LENTEN POEM

To search our souls, to meditate, will not suffice for Lent.

To share the cross, to sacrifice, these are the things God meant.

Blessings,

Pastor Norm

Road Church message on YouTube for Feb. 21, 2021: https://youtu.be/wLnsKhtvMoo