Ash Wednesday

Christ Lutheran Church & School

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Ash Wednesday

February 14, 2024 • Pastor Greg Stenzel • Luke 12:13–21

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Down from the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus has his sights set on the cross. As we enter the season of Lent, we see the cosmic battle between Jesus and the devil. Ash Wednesday demonstrates the urgency of the battle for us. This battle is now. The Sundays in Lent will show us the battle from every angle as Jesus overcomes Satan. But on Ash Wednesday, God’s Word calls us to pay attention to this battle now.

After all, it’s easy to get complacent. Just ask the believers in Sardis (Second Reading) who were acting the part, but Jesus knew their hearts. Ask the Israelites Joel addressed who needed to rend their hearts and not their garments (First Reading). Ask the farmer in the Gospel who was richly blessed and never once considered what was more important than earthly pleasure. Ask the face in the mirror. Ash Wednesday demands we consider what is truly important before it is too late. See the sense of urgency in all our readings. The rich man’s life was taken that night. The Lord demanded his people return to him “even now” (Joel 2:12). Jesus told those in Sardis to “Wake up!” or He would come like a thief (Revelation 3:2). We need Ash Wednesday's reminder that this world’s distractions are empty, and we are dust because of our sin.

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Let’s turn to our Savior in repentance now.

Good Friday Tenebrae Service

March 29, 2024 • Pastor Greg Stenzel • John 19:17–30

RETHINKING SACRIFICE In most religions the gods demand sacrifice. Followers are to surrender something of value to that god. Money. Time. Possessions. Some religions have even called for human sacrifice. Even people who think they aren’t religious sacrifice to false gods. Take the man whose idol is success. What he wants most is to rise through the ranks at work. So, to pursue that idol, he sacrifices his family, spending little time with them. Throughout human history, false gods have expected you to die for them. In Christianity you meet a God willing to die for you. Today we see that the true God does not make our relationship with him conditional on how much we sacrifice for him. Instead, we are at peace with God because he sacrificed himself for us. It is one reason why we call it “Good Friday.”

Maundy Thursday Divine Service

March 28, 2024 • Pastor Greg Stenzel • 1 Corinthians 10:16–17

RETHINKING OUR APPETITES We use the word “appetite” to describe a powerful desire for something. So, what is it you crave the most? Where does your mind go in those quiet moments? What do you want? Power? What do you dream about? Prestige? For what do you hunger? Pleasure? Are our appetites healthy? A truly healthy appetite is one that aligns with our deepest needs: forgiveness, salvation, communion with God, loving relationships with others. The believer is ravenous for such things! And all of those blessings are on the menu of the Lord’s Supper. Some view Holy Communion as just a religious ritual. Far from it! In this meal, Christ satisfies our greatest appetites.

Palm Sunday

March 24, 2024 • Pastor Greg Stenzel • Philippians 2:5–11

RETHINKING REAL STRENGTH In the Epistle reading this morning St. Paul is urging us to “Be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (https://ref.ly/logosref/bible$2bnasb95.71.2.2). Paul is talking about an attitude of humility. We are sometimes concerned about the lack of this attitude in ourselves and in others. God through Paul indicated that He wants the Philippians and us to have AN ATTITUDE OF HUMILITY.