Introduction
Welcome back to Lent! As always, it has been an honor and a joy to edit this book; and as always, you made me wait until the last moment again this year – some even past the last moment! This year I had a new opportunity rather than a problem to solve. For the first time there was another UMC congregation making this journey with us. College Grove UMC in Tennessee is publishing a book of Lenten devotions modeled on ours, and spearheaded by their Worship chair, Jacki (van Becelaere) Rumpp. We’ve cross-pollinated a bit by including some devotions from both congregations in both books. It was a joy to have so many new voices share their thoughts, time, insights, and witness with our church families as we make our slow but sure journey toward the glory of Easter Sunday.
Next – as so often happens – an overarching theme has emerged as I collected and arranged the contributions. This year the theme seemed to be Responding. Responding to God through prayer and worship. Responding to others through love and service. It’s pretty amazing. I don’t know how these “themes” appear each year (although I believe it’s the Holy Spirit prompting us to write on what our readers will need!), but I am always comforted and excited when they do. May we continue to respond to God and our brothers and sisters so that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Now, as we have each year since reviving this Lenten tradition, we repeat the introduction from our congregation's first book of devotions, published in 1974:
Again, we can but say, “Amen.” Charlie van Becelaere, Editor
Welcome back to Lent! As always, it has been an honor and a joy to edit this book; and as always, you made me wait until the last moment again this year – some even past the last moment! This year I had a new opportunity rather than a problem to solve. For the first time there was another UMC congregation making this journey with us. College Grove UMC in Tennessee is publishing a book of Lenten devotions modeled on ours, and spearheaded by their Worship chair, Jacki (van Becelaere) Rumpp. We’ve cross-pollinated a bit by including some devotions from both congregations in both books. It was a joy to have so many new voices share their thoughts, time, insights, and witness with our church families as we make our slow but sure journey toward the glory of Easter Sunday.
Next – as so often happens – an overarching theme has emerged as I collected and arranged the contributions. This year the theme seemed to be Responding. Responding to God through prayer and worship. Responding to others through love and service. It’s pretty amazing. I don’t know how these “themes” appear each year (although I believe it’s the Holy Spirit prompting us to write on what our readers will need!), but I am always comforted and excited when they do. May we continue to respond to God and our brothers and sisters so that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Now, as we have each year since reviving this Lenten tradition, we repeat the introduction from our congregation's first book of devotions, published in 1974:
Keeping a true Lent requires us to be vigilant in many ways: in prayer, study, worship, sacrifice, giving, meditation, and fellowship.
One or all may take precedence, depending upon our daily commitments.
From these devotions, lovingly prepared, may you find a well spring of faith to renew and sustain you, so that the Glorious Triumph that is Easter will remain with you always.
The Lenten Committee
Again, we can but say, “Amen.” Charlie van Becelaere, Editor
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