(as published in the March 2016 issue of Leyden Life) Ash Wednesday was celebrated on February 10th marking the beginning of the season of Lent, patterning Jesus time of temptation in the wilderness. You can read this important story of the Christian heritage in Luke 4:1-13. After not eating for forty days, Jesus is tempted with bread, then power and then safety. All he has to do is worship Satan instead of God and he refuses. Instead, he draws closer to God. That’s the promise this season has for us too, an opportunity to draw nearer to the Creator—the one who calls us beloved. Some people give up chocolate or alcohol or meat for Lent and those are noble sacrifices, especially in line with Jesus’ first temptation, but we are equally as tempted by power and safety. We worry about things we have no power or control over. We worry about our health and unsafe roads. But what does that have to do with being close to God? Sin is the reverse of being close to God. Sin is choosing to turn away from God, to separate from God. When we worry about things--when we fail to trust God, that is sin. God provides for our needs like bread. Luke 12:27 says, “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.” God is the one who is powerful. In Isaiah 43:1, God says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” God provides our security. Psalm 37:3 says, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.” We need not fear or be tempted. We need to trust God. Trust doesn’t come naturally to us. We have to work at it. The season of Lent provides us with opportunities to cultivate trust. Besides fasting from chocolate or alcohol or meat, other spiritual disciplines (or exercises) include prayer, studying scripture, and gathering with others for worship. When we exercise any muscle, it becomes stronger and that’s true of our spiritual lives too. When we exercise trust in God, our trust in God becomes stronger and we are less susceptible to temptation. Throughout the months of February and March, worship at the Leyden church will include opportunities to exercise our spiritual muscles. Join us on Sundays and Maundy Thursday on March 24th at 6pm when we will be invited to sample several prayer and craft activity stations designed to connect the ancient texts to our current lives. Our annual Sunrise Service will be held Easter Sunday, March 27th on the Green at 6:30am, followed by free breakfast in the fellowship hall and then Easter worship at 8:45am. All are welcome! Rev. Cheryl L. Meachen Pastor Cheryl preaches at the Leyden United Methodist Church which holds inspired worship at 8:45 each Sunday morning at 15 West Leyden Road across from Town Hall. Our facilities are handicap accessible and we offer Sunday School during our worship services. Come as you are, there are no fashion police. We welcome everyone to share communion on the first Sunday of each month. After worship every week you are invited to join us in our downstairs fellowship hall for delicious fresh baked goodies and friendly conversation.
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