Lenten Message from Pastor Jim (February 2023)

Dear First Lutheran Family and Friends,                       

“Return to the LORD, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.” (Joel 2:13b)

In the season of Lent, a season of penitence, we make a spiritual journey back to the Lord God … knowing His infinite grace and mercy, we spend this season following Jesus’ as He journeys through the Cross of Calvary to His resurrection on Easter morning.

Lent is a special forty-day season, beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending with Holy Saturday, the day before Easter, where Christians prepare for and reflect on Jesus’ suffering and death on the Cross as the ultimate payment for the sins of the whole world. In this time, the church is dressed in the penitential and royal color of purple – a vivid reminder of the contempt and scorn Jesus endured as He was mocked and beaten, and the subsequent sacrifice He made on the Cross for our eternal salvation. Purple reminds us of our daily need to humbly repent of the times we have disobeyed the King of kings and Lord of lords and then humbly follow Him.

If you are one who pays attention to such details, you’ll note there are more than 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday … and you’d be right. First, Sundays are not considered “days of Lent”, but rather “days in Lent.” We still celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on the “little Easters.” The 40 days help us remember the 40 days of rain God used to cleanse the earth of sin during the flood … God’s faithfulness to His sin-filled, disobedient children as they wandered 40 years in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land … Jesus’ enduring and overcoming the temptations of Satan while preparing for ministry during His own 40 days in the wilderness. In all these events, God remained faithful to His chosen people, bringing us and all who believe through the cleansing waters of baptism, through our wilderness wanderings, strengthened by His word against temptation, as He leads us into the eternal Promised Land, the kingdom of heaven.

Throughout Lent we remember God’s love for each of us as we return to Him … asking His help to turn from our sins and turn to Him … showing His love to all in our midst.

In our Risen Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim

Worship, Sunday School, Bible Study

We encourage all of God's people to remember that not everyone is in the same place regarding health, masks, and other matters. 

• Masks are optional. However, please wear a mask if you feel more comfortable doing so.
• We ask all to respect and honor these personal decisions in worship, in class, and wherever you might be in the community.

Remember Jesus' words, "Love the Lord your God ... love your neighbor as yourself"  (Matthew 22:37-39). 

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Worship

Worship Services

Sunday Morning
Click links below to attend on-line.

8:00 and 10:45AM In-Person and Livestream Worship 

If interested in the Livestream service call the church office at 410-257-3030.

Click here for Recorded Service 
(available after service is completed)

Wednesday Evening
6:30 PM In-Person Worship 
Or view Livestream here.

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Sunday School

9:30-10:30AM Children's & Youth Sunday School and Confirmation Classes (In-Person)

9:30-10:30AM  Adult Sunday School (In Person/Livestream)

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Bible Studies

 On-line studies on Sunday and during the week continue to be added. When available, please check in here.

• "Five Hundred Fifty Words-Or Less" Pastor's Blog