Our Annual Lenten Journey – A Season for Reflection & Renewal
Lent is an annual Christian observance lasting the six weeks that precede Easter Sunday. Lent likely began as a period of instruction for converts who were then baptized prior to dawn on Easter Sunday. For many Christian traditions, fasting from particular food and drink is expected. Some people give up activities they enjoy, which are then resumed following Easter, even things that are harmful. For most historic Protestant churches, like LPC, church members are encouraged to find ways to study and prayerfully reflect on the will of God and how we can more faithfully follow the pathway of Jesus.
Ash Wednesday Service · March 5 · Grace Presbyterian Church · 7pm
Lent officially begins with a worship service during which Christians acknowledge that our lives are often out of sync with God’s ways. The ancient biblical practice of smearing ashes on the body is observed. This year, Grace Presbyterian Church (1659 Rosewood at Hilliard Blvd. in Lakewood) will host LPC and Bethany Presbyterian Church. Clergy from all three congregations will lead the 7 p.m. service, which will also include Holy Communion.
Tuesday Evenings During Lent · March 11, 18, 25 & April 1
- Happy “Dessert” Half-Hour at 6:30 p.m. in the Atrium
Even if you are giving up sweets for Lent, come and join others for a social time. The Fellowship and Member Care Ministry will provide an array of non-alcoholic drinks and home-made goodies. - Lenten Series Begins at 7 p.m. in Wright Chapel
Cliff Notes and Snapshots: The Purpose and Value of Creeds and Confessions
Rev. Jim Butler will lead a four-part series on the twelve documents that make up our Presbyterian Book of Confessions. Background information about each creed/confession will be shared including the reason why it was written — what was going on in the life of the world and the church that inspired and/or necessitated it. Given the current rise of Christian nationalism, the Theological Declaration of Barmen will be given highest priority. It was written by pastors and theologians from the “Confessing Churches” inside Nazi Germany. Participants will also be encouraged to create their own “snapshot” and “cliff notes” reflecting the core affirmations of their faith and convictions. Each session will end promptly at 8 p.m.
A Message from the Pastor
by the Rev. Dr. James C. Butler
Are you, like me, feeling anxious and uncertain about the future and our well-being? We are witnessing long-standing traditions and national institutions being tested like never before in recent history, perhaps even the history of our nation. I personally trust that the U.S. will not completely come apart at the seams and seriously destabilize the world, but we may witness even more unhealthy and needless chaos and harm until equilibrium is restored. Sadly, I know that pain and discomfort and loss has been an effective classroom for me, and I suspect this is true for most people. Even more sadly, the most vulnerable among us — the young, the aged, the oppressed and the least-resourced — could bear the worst of the harm and pain. As your pastor, I urge you to go “within,” go deep into the resources of faith and the sustaining power of God as time-tested traditions, institutions and “order” are being pushed like never before.
A place to begin might just be a good old-fashioned Ash Wednesday service where we confess our failures and call upon God’s grace and healing to sustain us through thick and thin. Join me and my pastor colleagues at Grace Presbyterian Church on Ash Wednesday. It could help all of us remember the One to whom we really belong and to whom we owe our highest allegiance. And then, the following four Tuesday evenings, come to LPC and find out why our spiritual ancestors came together in person and on paper to say all over again what they did or did not believe about God, human power and authority or their abuse, and the world order that God wants us to create and maintain. I aim to pump up some faith muscles! A blessed Lent to you and the ones you love.
The Music Corner with Dr. Kaori Hongo
New Harmonies
This month we will be starting our season of Lent to prepare for Easter in April. The weather will also be transitioning from winter into spring, and we will have longer warmer days to enjoy. As many of you know our family has adopted a little Shiba Inu puppy! With a puppy in the house, we have been busy adjusting our lives and learning more about her personality — and she has one! Her name is Yukiko (Japanese for “child who will bring hope”), and we call her “Yuki” for short. For her, everything is new and exciting (sometimes frightening), and she has an amazing love for life and a curiosity like a little child. The other day she chased a leaf down the street and was so excited when she caught it! I can just imagine her excitement when she starts to see the snow melt and the world come alive! The birds singing, the squirrels chattering, and the “spring showers”! Spring is like nature’s choir or orchestra, where many sounds come together to create beautiful harmony and rhythms. The magic happens when all the sounds come together to create something new.
In the church, we can bring many different voices together to sing a variety of styles of music and harmonies. Starting with Advent we have heard different styles of music, and we will continue our musical journey through Lent. This month I have asked Cynthia Holzheimer to share her thoughts on what choir means to her.
Singing in the church choir is an amazing musical experience. Creating harmony with four sections of voices is something that resonates in your soul. You can sing in the shower, or sing along to a recording, but singing with an ensemble is something that feels like lightning striking. Hearing musical intervals in anthems that differ across time is something I find very exciting. I am not a soloist, but being a choral singer providing support to an ensemble allows me to fully explore dynamic ranges. The Advent season has an incredible range of anthems which provide harmonies that are the most exciting of the church calendar. I highly recommend the choral experience to anyone seeking to further their musical talents.
March Adult Faith Formation
March 2 & 9: “Talk Back to the Preacher” with Rev. Jim Butler
Come and join others in the Chapel at 11:20 a.m. for an informal “talkback” and “Q and A” with Rev. Jim Butler after his sermons on the strange account of the transfiguring of Jesus on the mountain, and the story of his time of testing in the wilderness at the hands of “Ha Sat’aan” — “The Tempter.”
March 23 & 30: “A Taste of the Psalms” with Rev. Arvid Whitmore
An informational and formational glance at the content, character and continuing call of the Psalter. The hope is that we will gain not only new insight into these ancient hymns and prayers, but also a fresh appreciation of their ageless relevance.
Lenten Helpers Needed!
Please consider hosting one week of the Lenten Series by bringing a dessert. Beverages will be provided by the Fellowship and Member Care Ministry. Available dates are March 11, March 18, March 25 and April 1. See Heather Greif to sign up.
What Book Did You Love as a Child?
Our library has a wonderful collection of children’s books, and this month we are going through the shelves to make them more visible. Our staff of four volunteers is having a great time discovering new and timeless classics, and remembering the books we all loved as children. (For me it was Charlotte’s Web. What was it for you?)
Mary Ann Redifer, a former children’s librarian, mentioned her very favorite children’s book is God’s Dream. Its authors are the beloved Archbishop Desmond Tutu, recipient of the Nobel Prize, and Douglas Abrams, international best-selling author. The book is gorgeously illustrated by LeUyen Pham. It’s a loving introduction to the question, “What does God Dream?” and a “beckoning pathway toward joy” that all readers, young and old, will delight in following.
We will put a copy outside the Library entrance. Come check it out!
–Kathryn Hack
Youth Faith Formation Events
LUCKY LOCK-IN
All 6th through 12th graders are invited to our Lucky Youth Lock-In from Friday, March 14 at 8 p.m. to Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m. We will have St. Patrick’s Day themed games, prepare for the rigatoni lunch fundraiser, and have a lot of fun with friends. Youth are encouraged to bring friends, something to sleep on, and a snack to share with the group. Contact Aliyah with questions or to RSVP.
RIGATONI FUNDRAISER ON MARCH 16
The youth have been busy having discussions about their faith as we continue through our Confirmation Class. We hope to deepen their connections with other Presbyterians their age by sending them to Triennium this summer. Triennium is our most expensive summer trip, and we hope to be able to send all of our youth without them worrying about the cost. Help to support this cause and enjoy a delicious rigatoni lunch on March 16 following worship.
CHAPEL DRAMA CLUB AUDITIONS
On March 23 and 30 from 4–5 p.m., auditions will be held in the Chapel for the Chapel Drama Club’s inaugural spring play. In addition to our wonderful Christmas pageants, our goal is to offer a spring theatrical performance. The first two weekends in June, we will perform It’s Our Town, Too by Susan Miller. In this homage to Wilder’s classic play, Emily and Elizabeth fall in love in a small town, and then flash forward to the wedding of their son to their neighbors George and Louis’ daughter. Homophobia, fear, and death still persist, but do not completely overcome in this witty and nostalgic exploration of love, loss, grief, commitment, and friendship as seen through the course of everyday life. Rehearsals will begin in April from 4:30–5 p.m. on Sundays. If you have an interest in theater or have a child or youth who would like to audition, please contact Aliyah Kennedy in the church office.
Daylight Saving Time begins March 9
Remember to set your clocks forward one hour on Saturday Evening!
North Church Needs Volunteers in March
Lakewood Presbyterian Church has for many years had a special connection to North Church. As one of more than 20 partner churches, we have shown our support by providing a meal following their Sunday service. We have committed to doing that for the month of March this year. The meal is to serve about 50 people. If you would like to help, please contact Terry Dugan.
Have You Considered “Paying Your Portion”?
Are you aware that there is a price on your Presbyterian “head?” It’s true! The expenses of operating our Presbyterian denomination (Presbytery, Synod and the General Assembly) will cost every congregation in our Presbytery $40.00 per “head” (each member). The $40.00 is distributed as follows: $25.76 to our Presbytery, $10.84 to General Assembly and $3.40 to our Synod.
Per capita is a fundamental way in which the nearly 9,000 congregations and governing bodies of the PCUSA are connected and allows its members to participate in the work of the wider church. It is the responsible way of sharing costs that equitably belong to the whole Presbyterian community. Please consider paying your per capita apportionment on top of your pledge amount. Simply note “per capita” on the memo line of your check or pew envelope. Thank you for considering this request.