Dear Friends,

I'm more than ready for Lent! Since the German word "lentz" literally means springtime, that's enough for me. While this morning's light snow beautifully covered the ground, I'm eager for the Lenten season of renewal whether we set any records for winter or not.

Weather not withstanding, our February start up of Lent speaks of hope we can be recreated in God's life and love in Jesus Christ. Over a century ago, one writer offered the following aims of Lent; "to reclaim the wondering, to revive the drooping, to re-nerve the enfeebled to un-film the eye that is growing dim, to make all see clearly again where the mark is set for their attainment, to dissatisfy the easy soul with self, to make the full minded plodder feel that he has a race to run and not creep into heaven and that he has only time and not all eternity in which to accomplish it." What better reason for Lent!

With this in mind, how fitting it is that we will have the privilege of doing our Lord's work with the start up of Family Promise hosting homeless families March 7-14th. Jesus couldn't have more succinctly framed our calling when he uttered those famous words in the Gospel of Matthew concerning human need. The response of the Interfaith Community Inclusive of our own congregation is heartwarming. In short, Christians are called to be servants and Family Promise offers a hands-on opportunity to serve.

Lastly, let me suggest that the most important words uttered in Christian Churches are "let us worship God!" Education, service, fellowship, flow out of community and our worship hour is the hub of our life together. There is no substitute for our presence which our God yearns an serves as an encouragement for all. Let's everyone make every Sunday presence a priority this Lent that at last, "we may attain an Easter of unending joy!"

Grace and Peace,

Kent E. Huyck