James K. A. Smith, a philosopher at Calvin University, published an article recently saying we could not think our way out of this mess. He’s throwing in his lot with the poets and painters, the novelists, and songwriters because “Empathy is ultimately a feat of the imagination, and arguments are no therapy for a failed, shriveled imagination. It will be the arts that resuscitate the imagination.” I pray Scott’s images resuscitate our imaginations in this season of Lent.

It has been a while since I received or sent a physical invitation. But if I were to rummage around for a stamp, I would send you a card with this image on it. I would invite you to sit and look at this image, if only for a few minutes. This Lent we are using images from Scott Erickson to help us reflect on the Lord’s Prayer.

This last year has definitely highlighted what King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” In February of 2020, we would never have imagined we would spend so many Sundays not meeting in person but instead gathering to worship over the Internet.

In a storage room at Axelrad Beer Garden sits a plastic container. In the container sits a box of Matza crackers, disinfectant wipes, a first aid kit, extra masks, and a cracked wooden plate with a matching chalice. Essentials for an in-person worship service. 

This Sunday we begin a new series for the season of Lent called Journey With Jesus. It’s part two of a two-part series we began early this year in the Gospel of Luke. While the first series revolved around Luke’s invitation to consider who Jesus is, this series is concerned with what it means to follow Jesus.