When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51)
Ash Wednesday marks a turning point in the book of Luke, and it is a turning point also for us. We are leaning now into the season of Lent, the barest season of the year. Spring is so near, and yet so far. As winter lingers, we bundle up, and we drink hot drinks, and we huddle together to worship and to sing songs of hope, and of journey, and of weariness. We set our faces toward springtime, as Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem.
But the land between here and there is rough. Over the next several weeks, we will travel with Jesus toward his destination. But while he is always journeying, he never seems to be getting any closer to Jerusalem itself, so that by chapter 17, after 8 chapters of travel, he is still “between Samaria and Galilee,” miles and miles from Jerusalem.
If you know this feeling, always pushing toward some goal, always with your face set toward the destination, but never getting there, never arriving, then this Lenten season is for you. Here’s a time to reflect on the gifts the journey brings to you and to others, and to reconsider how your journey in life steps into the footsteps of our Savior and leads to the cross.
- Our hearts ache alongside Joe & Kim Sanfilippo at the news that Joe’s best friend was killed in a snowmobile accident. We ask the Lord’s gracious hand to guide the family of Jeff Schultz as they begin to deal with the implications of this loss. Let them know the comfort and the power of the Easter promise.
- We rejoice with Hal & Erlene Klug at the celebration of their 40th Wedding Anniversary. It is your constant and consistent love, dear Lord, which has kept them secure. Now we ask you to bless them and their children and their families in the coming years with faith and hope and more love.
- We pray along with Annette Diener as the Lord chose to quietly yet quickly take home to heaven Annette’s nephew, Nate at age 37. We pray on behalf of his mother Judy, sister Lisa and brother Adam. Remind them how your love caused you to enter our world to war against our enemy death. You conquered the grave by your own death and took our sins with you into the darkness. We’ve been released from the guilt of our sin. Praise you for such comfort, dear Lord.
- We also include Annette’s son Jacob, who has entered Army basic training. Keep him safe and strong that he may represent our country well.
- Prayers for Carol Mertes (Jewell) family… her daughter Noelle and son Casey (both attended and graduated from OSLS). Carol recently entered eternity after a long battle with cancer. We rejoice with her that the Lord graciously fulfilled his offer of life everlasting. Comfort her family through the death and the resurrection of Jesus.
- Ed Kraft’s mother, who has been diagnosed with cancer. Initial treatments did not go as expected. We ask for your grace and mercy to her and to her family as she embraces the approach of eternity. Let faith in Jesus and his resurrection give them courage.
- For rehabilitation and re-integration for Ron Telega, at the VA Spine Center.
- Tom & Sarah Grisar – close friends of the Gahan family, with three daughters. She has stage 4 colon cancer, which has spread to other internal organs. We ask for a good treatment program with positive results and strength for the road ahead.
- A friend of Pete Sueflow’s, Dwane Kassens, was diagnosed with cancer; we seek the Lord for his concern and cure, as he is willing.
Worship Conference – Lord God, we praise your glorious name. As we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation we thank you for our Lutheran musical heritage where all worshipers rejoice in the gospel through music and other art forms. Bless this year’s National Worship Conferences that attendees may be inspired and learn much. May the joy of worship be passed along to a new generation. Also guide us, Lord, as we seek to give you glory in the production of the new hymnal. Amen.
Additional Prayers:
For Ryan Loberger as he considers our call to teach:
Please keep Ryan, his wife Brianne and their two-year-old child in your prayers as the Holy Spirit guides and directs Ryan to see where his gifts can best serve in ministry. Selfishly we would pray that his decision would lead him to Grafton, but ultimately we know God’s will is always best and He will lead Ryan to clearly see what that direction will be.