Lent 2021

Our society is grappling with many concerns these days; with Covid-19, unemployment, food insecurity, underemployment, loneliness, depression, political differences, and family struggles just to name a few.

Now more than ever our world needs Jesus!  Christ offers true peace, hope, and joy that so many are hungering for in our world.  As St. Paul says, we are the hands, the feet, the heart, the joy, and peace of Jesus in the world.  We are the visible presence of Christ to others.  We are the Body of Christ to humanity.

For us as Christians, this is an incredible responsibility to be Jesus to a waiting world.  Our call is to be different, to act different and to love others unconditionally, just as Jesus would.  If we, as members of the Body of Christ, cannot do this, how are we ever going to change the world into the image and likeness of Jesus.

Our theme at PWC for Lent 2021 is: Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace.  It comes from the Prayer of St. Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.  Amen.

As Christians, we cannot demonize those who disagree with us, but are called to love and respect all.  We are challenged to work for the good of all; especially the disenfranchised, the poor, the hungry, and vulnerable.  Our world is searching for people to inspire them, to give them Christ-like guidance, strength, peace, love, and compassion.  Essentially, our invitation and task is to be an instrument of peace and to live out the Prayer of St. Francis.

Our theme song at PWC for Lent 2021 is Peace Be Still.  Here is a link to the song:

When the peace of Christ reigns in our hearts then others can experience the lifegiving presence of Jesus in their lives through us.  That is what it means to be a member of the Body of Christ, we are basically being Jesus to others.  As Christians, people in our society have to see we live our lives differently; that difference is Jesus Christ.

As part of being Jesus to others is our mission project this Lent at PWC and going forward, we are partnering with Recovery Café to assist those with addiction issues.    What a wonderful way to be Jesus to those in need.  Our hope and prayer is you are able to become engaged in this outreach.

We have many spiritual opportunities this Lent, check out the PWC calendar for ways to safely get involved, grow in your relationship with Christ, and to be Jesus to others:  https://www.praiseandworshipcenter.net/events/.

May be all of us seek to be an instrument of God’s peace!